Monza
- Monza have been more consistent in their pursuit of Serie A, finishing third in the regular season with 76 points compared to Catanzaro’s fifth-placed 59 points.
- Monza are strong favorites at 1.81 to defeat their fifth-placed rivals at home on Friday, while Catanzaro enter the second leg as big long shots at 4.34.
- They took a two-goal advantage to their home field after winning 2-0 at Stadio Nicola Ceravolo last Friday.
- Hernani scored in the first leg, while Matteo Pessina has been the maestro of the Biancorossi’s 3-4-2-1 system.
Catanzaro
- Catanzaro finished 17 points behind Monza in the league and now have the disadvantage of having to make up a deficit away from home in the playoff final.
- Their final two home playoff games both ended 3-0, but they have lost three of their last five, including a 2-0 defeat to Monza at the end of April.
- This game will come down to the battle of styles, with possession-focused Catanzaro wanting to dictate the tempo and Monza preferring to sit back, be solid and deadly on the counter-attack.
Head-to-Head
- Monza have never lost to Catanzaro in three meetings this season, with their only draw being away to the Yellow and Blues after a late Monza penalty.
- Monza have a two-goal lead to defend.
Key Players
- Catanzaro’s attack is led by their captain and talisman Pietro Iemmello, who has been a constant threat throughout the season and will again be the focal point of their build-up play.
- Filippo Pittarello
- Mattia Liberali
- One of Monza’s goals in the first leg came from their left wing, where Giuseppe Caso has been a reliable source of goals and assists all season.
- Hernani has been another playmaker who has popped up at the right time in this playoff run and it was his goal in the first leg.
- Patrick Cutrone is the veteran attacker who can find the net at any time, having grabbed the stoppage-time winner in the semi-final.
Betting Insights
The bet that matches up best with the situation is over 2.5 goals at 1.74 , but we feel that both teams to score is the best value at 1.67 .
Prediction
Monza have found the key late winner or equaliser in their last three playoff knockout games, but the pressure will be on them to finish this tie on Friday as the favourites.
