The weekend sees league leaders Lecce host relegation strugglers Ascoli in what should be a straightforward victory for the home side. The Giallorossi have the best attack in Serie B, while the visitors have the weakest defensive line. It would not come as a surprise if the hosts ran out winners by a big margin. Lecce will be trying to extend their lead as second-placed Ancona will be hosting Brescia in a tricky clash.

The Dorici have yet to lose at the Stadio del Conero and it is unlikely that Brescia will be able to upend the hosts as the Rondinelle have already lost five of their away games. Ancona cannot afford to drop points, as Lecce will comfortably beat Ascoli unless there is a shock.

Meanwhile Cesena, in third, are slowly creeping up the table. The Cavallucci Marini are only two points behind the Dorici, so they will be extra motivated to return from their trip to Padova with all three points in the bag. Padova are a mid-table side this season and seem to be inconsistent with regard to the results achieved so far. One ought to expect a tight battle between the hosts – who are trying to climb high up the table – and the travellers who seek to cement their status as a side that will promote.

This weekend’s top clash will take place at the Stadio Alberto Braglia, where fourth placed Sassuolo will host Torino. The Turin club will be looking for a win to jump over the hosts in the standings. The changes the il Toro went through in terms of their coaching staff will hopefully payoff, as the tifosi are itching for a return to Serie A. A win against Sassuolo will also help build the morale following last weekend’s victory. Torino rely heavily on Rolando Bianchi, joint top-scorer with 12 goals, who previously played in the Premier League for Manchester City in England.

Empoli will host Vicenza in a balanced encounter, but the Azzurri have yet to taste defeat at the Stadio Carlo Castellani and have the best home record in the whole division. Vicenza are a decent side, but have wasted many points after drawing eight home games and losing three on their travels.

Elsewhere, Modena welcome a struggling Mantova in a one-sided encounter as the home team are in sixth, while the visitors are just four points above Salernitana, the bottom placed club in the division. The basement dwellers will host Albinoleffe in a must win encounter, since six points separate both sides in the relegation battle.

Other matches this weekend will see Frosinone take on Cittadella, Crotone clash with Gallipoli, while Reggina play Triestina and Piacenza host Grosseto. All four matches are balanced, and Triestina will be seeking to achieve their first away win to leave Salernitana as the sole club without a win away from home.

Here are the fixtures:

Ancona – Brescia
Crotone – Gallipoli
Empoli – Vicenza
Frosinone – Cittadella
Lecce – Ascoli
Torino – Sassuolo
Salernitana – Albinoleffe
Reggina – Triestina
Piacenza – Grosseto
Padova – Cesena
Modena – Mantova

Rami Soufi, Football Italiano