Sampdoria vs Avellino - Serie B

The Serie B returns to the home ground on March 22, 2026, where Sampdoria and Avellino will lock horns in a contest that could shape their respective campaigns. Manchester United play in Gothenburg on Saturday as they take on Paris-Saint Germain in their fourth pre-season fixture.

Form and standings can only tell part of the story when Sampdoria and Avellino cross paths in the Serie B, and pride alone should guarantee a contest. The hosts are badly in need of a turnaround, with LLLD in their last five and a win rate of just 0% highlighting their struggles. Avellino have travelled reasonably well, DWWL over their last five with a season win rate of 50%. The contrast in attacking output — 0.75 versus 1.5 goals per game — adds an extra layer of intrigue. Larson’s long-term plans have attracted renewed attention following teammate Alex Bowman’s recent announcement that he intends to retire from full-time Cup Series competition at the end of the 2027 season.

The tactical battle could prove decisive. Sampdoria may lean on their home advantage to dictate the tempo, but Avellino have shown they can be dangerous when allowed to play on their own terms. They were slightly found out against Amorim's Milan in pre-season, with the press not quite sharp enough - the fourth goal, in particular, came from just one ball over a high-lined defence.

Game-changers are scattered across both line-ups, and the contest may well be decided by which side's match-winners deliver on the day. The battle in midfield, where both sides look to control tempo, could prove the decisive arena. On his Arsenal debut against Girona, Tzolis strode forward with confidence at his defender, cut inside defiantly and slotted an effort into the bottom corner, via a slight deflection.

Without the market to lean on, the contest feels genuinely open — and the outcome may come down to which side handles the occasion better. A share of the spoils looks the most probable outcome, with neither side holding a decisive edge — a 2-2 draw feels like a fitting result. With positions in the Serie B table to defend and momentum to chase, neither side can afford to leave anything in the tank. Premier League chief executive Richard Masters says a verdict on the alleged charges against Manchester City "has taken longer than expected".