A total of 12 Serie B teams have something riding on the final round of League matches, which takes place tonight.
With Palermo having secured their promotion and the second tier title a while back, the main focus will be on which one of Empoli“>Empoli and Latina will join them in securing automatic promotion.
A total of 12 Serie B teams have something riding on the final round of League matches, which takes place tonight.
With Palermo having secured their promotion and the second tier title a while back, the main focus will be on which one of Empoli and Latina will join them in securing automatic promotion.
Second-placed Empoli know that a draw at home to mid-table Pescara will secure their return to Serie A after an absence of six years. However, should they slip up, Latina will pip them provided they win their home encounter with play-off chasing Spezia.
In the race for play-off spots, Empoli or Latina will be joined by Cesena and another four of Modena, Crotone, Siena, Spezia, Bari, Virtus Lanciano and Avellino.
The decision by the League to extend the number of places in the end-of-season lottery means that any team down to the 11th placed Biancoverdi remains in the hunt for a top-eight finish come kick-off tonight.
The former four teams have their destiny in their own hands, while the latter three will need to win their respective fixtures and hope other results go their way.
At the bottom of the second tier Juve Stabia, Reggina and Padova have already filled the three automatic relegation places, though the teams finishing in fourth and fifth from bottom will contest a play-out to decide who joins them.
The 18th and 19th positions are currently filled by Varese and Novara, but both teams are still in with a chance of avoiding the demotion decider.
17th placed Cittadella lie two points above both aforementioned teams and they know that a point away to Virtus Lanciano will all but guarantee they will be playing Serie B football again next season.
Should they lose however, one of Varese and Novara could haul themselves out of danger by winning against Siena or Bari respectively.
Kick-off for all 11 Serie B fixtures is at 19.30 BST.