Cremonese will take on Spezia in the first leg of their Serie B playoff final on Thursday, May 29, in what is, without a doubt, a monumental fixture for both clubs.
A place in the Italian top flight and all the glamour, prestige and money that comes with it are at stake, which means no player or manager is going to leave anything out there on the pitch.
As the home team in the first leg, Cremonese will feel that they can't afford to go into the second leg behind, which adds more weight to their shoulders this week.
Ahead of kick-off, check out our Cremonese vs Spezia prediction below.
Contents
Cremonese vs Spezia prediction: Goals to go in at both ends
Key Stats
- Both teams have scored in four of Cremonese's last five matches.
- Both teams have scored in four of Spezia's last five matches.
- Cremonese are unbeaten in their last six home matches.
Correct score prediction: Cremonese 2-1 Spezia
This should be an even contest, decided by just one goal if there is to be a winner on the night. Spezia haven't managed to win one away match against Cremonese since the turn of the century, though, and that record is unlikely to go in a high-stakes match such as this one when the hosts will be more focused than ever.
Pre-game odds and win probability: The hosts start as narrow favourites
- HOME: 5/4 (2.25) – 44.4%
- DRAW: 21/10 (3.10) – 32.3%
- AWAY: 9/5 (2.80) – 35.7%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
The Cremonese vs Spezia odds are only narrowly in favour of the home team, which gives us more value than anticipated on our prediction of a Cremonese win. Ladbrokes have given the hosts a 44.4% chance of winning the first leg on home soil, while Spezia have been given a 35.7% chance of going back home with an advantage.
You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: Advantage Cremonese
Cremonese's price of 5/4 looks even better when you consider their recent record in this fixture. The Grigiorossi are unbeaten in their last seven matches against Spezia, with four wins and three draws. Spezia's last win over Cremonese was back in February 2020.
Italy Serie B 09/05/25
Spezia
Cremonese
Italy Serie B 14/09/24
Cremonese
Spezia
Italy Serie B 20/01/24
Spezia
Cremonese
Italy Serie B 05/11/23
Cremonese
Spezia
Italy Serie A 06/05/23
Cremonese
Spezia
Cremonese preview: Issues at the back
Cremonese have a couple of injury concerns at the back. Matteo Bianchetti and Valentin Antov are both in a race against time to prove their full fitness for the first leg. There could be a temptation to rest both to ensure they are in top condition for the return leg on Sunday. Backup goalkeeper Gianluca Saro will definitely miss out due to a knee problem.
Predicted lineup: Fulignati (GK), Folino, Ravanelli, Ceccherini, Barbieri, Castagnetti, Collocolo, Azzi, Johnsen, De Luca, Vandeputte
Italy Serie B 13/05/25
L
Pisa
2
Cremonese
1
Italy Serie B 09/05/25
W
Spezia
2
Cremonese
3
Italy Serie B 04/05/25
D
Sassuolo
1
Cremonese
1
Italy Serie B 01/05/25
D
Sampdoria
0
Cremonese
0
Italy Serie B 25/04/25
W
Mantova
2
Cremonese
4
Spezia preview: A full squad to choose from
Spezia manager, Luca D'Angelo, is in the enviable position of having a full squad to choose from for this match and given that his side have won three on the bounce, his starting XI basically picks itself. Could this consistency prove to be the difference this week?
Predicted lineup: Gori (GK), Wisniewski, Hristov, Mateju, Elia, Kouda, Cassata, Nagy, Aurelio, Di Serio, Esposito
Italy Serie B 13/05/25
W
Cosenza
1
Spezia
3
Italy Serie B 09/05/25
L
Cremonese
3
Spezia
2
Italy Serie B 04/05/25
L
AC Reggiana
2
Spezia
1
Italy Serie B 01/05/25
W
Salernitana
0
Spezia
2
Italy Serie B 25/04/25
D
Frosinone
2
Spezia
2
Player to watch: Francesco Esposito
One man who could provide Spezia with the magic they need to overcome the odds and walk away with a first-leg advantage is Salvatore Esposito. The talented teenager, who is on loan from Inter Milan, is part of a prestigious footballing family in Italy, and he has had a good year in Serie B. Esposito has scored 18 goals already and will fancy his chances of breaking the 20-goal barrier during the playoffs.