Cremonese vs Virtus Entella - Serie B

When Cremonese and Virtus Entella clash at the home ground on September 19, 2026, the stakes extend well beyond a single result — this is a Serie B fixture that carries real weight for both clubs. Just as was the case in the previous meeting between the teams in April of last year, when Emery's side gave them such a scare in the Champions League tie at Villa Park, PSG were hanging on at the end.

A glance at the Serie B table tells the story: Cremonese in 15th and Virtus Entella in 14th, with positions to defend and places to climb. Cremonese have blown hot and cold, D across their last five and a win rate of 25% that leaves room for improvement. Road trips have been a source of frustration for the visitors — W in their last five, a season win rate of 25%. The contrast in attacking output — 1.25 versus 1.75 goals per game — adds an extra layer of intrigue. Newcastle had agreed a deal worth £49m for the Switzerland international, who was a breakout star at the World Cup as he scored three goals in their run to the quarter-finals.

Set-piece efficiency could prove the difference on the night. Both Cremonese and Virtus Entella have invested time in dead-ball situations this season, and a single corner or free-kick may settle it. It meant City had a three-man defence of Josko Gvardiol, Abdukodir Khusanov and Ruben Dias when in possession.

When C. Shpendi is on the pitch — 5 goals to his name this term — moments of magic are never far away, and the Serie B's top scorer will be central to how this one unfolds. How each side deals with the other's danger men — and who takes their chances when they come — will be central to the outcome. The Premier League champions have been looking for a new defender with William Saliba out for an extended period of time and Jurrien Timber also sidelined with a long-term groin problem.

Predicting an outright winner is no easy task given how little separates the two sides on paper. On balance, Virtus Entella may just have enough to take all three points. A 1-2 away win would not be a shock. With the standings tight and form on the line, this is a fixture neither side will want to lose. The club are understood to favour a profile closer to Aurelien Tchouameni or a Premier League‑proven alternative rather than Manu Kone.