Renate vs Novara - Serie C - Girone A

The Serie C - Girone A returns to the home ground on September 7, 2026, where Renate and Novara will lock horns in a contest that could shape their respective campaigns. Catch up with all the action from Chelsea's pre-season clash with AC Milan.

A glance at the Serie C - Girone A table tells the story: Renate in 19th and Novara in 12th, with positions to defend and places to climb. Results have been in short supply for the hosts, with DLLL across their last five and a campaign win rate of 0% that makes for grim reading. The visitors arrive short of confidence, DLDDD in their last five and a season win rate of just 20%. Where Renate have built their campaign on solidity, Novara have often chased flair, and that fundamental difference should make for compelling viewing. The fact that Oxford ultimately fell five points short of the total needed to stay in the Championship shows that it would have required top-half - almost play-off - form during the second half of the season.

Set-piece efficiency could prove the difference on the night. Both Renate and Novara have invested time in dead-ball situations this season, and a single corner or free-kick may settle it. The winner came from a rare counter-attack by the new-look Spurs side, who defended well throughout with Andy Robertson making his first start and Jan Paul van Hecke on debut, as they battled to secure another win in pre-season.

In fixtures as finely poised as this one, it often comes down to who holds their nerve in the big moments — and both camps have players who relish that responsibility. How each side deals with the other's danger men — and who takes their chances when they come — will be central to the outcome. Ramos did eventually score the breakthrough goal midway through the second half but that was one of eight attempts at goal by the Portuguese forward - and there were no fewer than four big chances missed.

The fixture has the feel of a coin-flip, and picking a winner with any conviction would require a braver pundit than most. On balance, Novara may just have enough to take all three points. A 1-2 away win would not be a shock. The result at the home ground could resonate well beyond matchday in the Serie C - Girone A picture. Joe Gomez is expected to miss the start of Liverpool's Premier League campaign through injury - but it is not likely to impact the Reds' transfer plans.