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| Serie B: Week 38 preview |
Friday 2 May, 2008
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With five games to go, six teams can still earn automatic promotion to the top-flight, making every point count
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Leaders Chievo are three points ahead of the chasing pack going into their match with lowly Spezia. Giuseppe Iachini's side are unbeaten in 19 games, but could be without leading scorer Sergio Pellissier. The Ligurians were saved financially this week after Inter, a minority shareholder in the club, paid off £50,000 worth of debt. But their Serie B status is still under threat as the Aquilotti are fourth bottom.
After a difficult period, Albinoleffe appear to be back on track, beating Bologna 1-0 on Saturday to overtake the Felsinei and reach second place. The Bergamaschi travel to Piacenza, who they beat 2-0 in December, and will be looking for a victory ahead of their tricky game next week against promotion rivals Lecce.
The Salentini richly deserve their third place in the Cadetti. Giuseppe Papadopulo's men have the tightest defence in the Division and the second best attack. Lecce's opponents Mantova have improved since Coach Giuseppe Brucato joined the club, but the Virgilani have nothing to play for, too far from the play-offs and relegation.
Having been automatic promotion contenders all season, Bologna's recent slide couldn't have come at a worse time. The Rossoblu haven't won in three games and have only taken a point from two top-of-the-table clashes. Don't worry though, as Bologna take on Vicenza, who have only won four away fixtures this year, at the Renato Dall'Ara, where they have the best home record in the League.
Elsewhere, Pisa are at home on the road - no other side has won more games away than in the comfort of their own ground. The Tuscans are down in Campania, at Avellino, who have already lost 20 times in front of their long-suffering faithful, but came back from 2-0 down on Saturday to draw 2-2 with relegation rivals Spezia.
Serse Cosmi's Brescia are getting left behind after losing to Chievo and drawing at home to struggling Treviso. The Rondinelle have to beat Modena if they are to have any hope of avoiding the Russian roulette of the play-offs.
At the bottom, Ravenna are still in with a chance of getting out of the drop zone. They are four points from safety and host the League's most inconsistent team, Messina. Cesena, a point adrift of Ravenna, are in Lazio to take on Frosinone, a side they slaughtered 3-0 in December.
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