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Catanzaro will play host to Brescia at Stadio Nicola Ceravolo in the Serie B promotion playoffs preliminary round on Saturday. With Parma and Como already promoted, six teams will vie for the remaining slot through the playoffs.
Catanzaro finished the season in sixth position with 60 points, just below the qualification spot for the playoffs semi-finals. They won Serie C in 2022–23 to earn promotion to Serie B and were hoping to continue their progress to the top flight. However, the journey remains long and difficult, with the preliminary round, semi-finals and final of the payoffs ahead. In the regular season, Catanzaro lost to Brescia 2-1 at home and played out a 1-1 draw away. The hosts have revenge on the mind but the visitors are no pushovers.
Brescia ended the season in the eighth spot – the lowest rank for the promotion play-offs. They were on track to finish in the top five but dropped nine points in their last five matches. Brescia last played in Serie A in the 2019-20 season. In 2020-21 they lost the promotion playoffs preliminary round to Cittadella and in 2021-2022 they lost the promotion playoffs semi-finals to Monza. Brescia will be hoping for a better fate this time around.
Catanzaro boast one win in their last five matches, drawing twice, losing twice while scoring six goals against eight conceded.
Catanzaro vs Brescia Head-to-Head
Catanzaro have drawn once and lost thrice in their last four clashes against Brescia in all competitions.
Catanzaro form guide (all competitions): L-L-W-D-D
Brescia form guide (all competitions): L-W-D-D-D
Catanzaro vs Brescia News
Catanzaro
Catanzaro have not announced any injury setbacks ahead of the game. Captain and top scorer Pietro Iemmello says he is hoping to improve on his current tally of 15 goals, which places him sixth in the overall goal chart.
Injury: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspension: None.
Unavailable: None.
Brescia
Brescia have goalkeeper Lorenzo Andrenacci sidelined due to a shoulder injury while left-winger Patrick Nuamah is still recovering from a muscle tear.
Injury: Lorenzo Andrenacci, Patrick Nuamah
Doubtful: None.
Suspension: None.
Unavailable: None.
Catanzaro vs Brescia Predicted Xls
Catanzaro (4-4-2): Andrea Sala (GK), Luka Krajnc, Nicolò Brighenti, Kevin Miranda, Andrea Oliveri, Matteo Stoppa, Luca Verna, Marco Pompetti, Dimitrios Sounas, Pietro Iemmello, Alfredo Donnarumma
Brescia (4-3-1-2): Luca Lezzerini (GK), Matthieu Huard, Andrea Papetti, Dimitri Bisoli, Lorenzo Dickmann, Michele Besaggio, Tom van de Looi, Massimo Bertagnoli, Birkir Bjarnason, Nicolas Galazzi, Flavio Bianchi
Catanzaro vs Brescia Prediction
With one win in their last five home matches, Catanzaro may not necessarily count on home advantage. They would need a convincing performance to overcome the challenge of the visitors.
Brescia will take confidence from their previous win at Stadio Nicola Ceravolo, with the hope of repeating that feat. We expect Catanzaro to emerge victorious, albeit narrowly.
Prediction: Catanzaro 2-1 Brescia
