SS Monopoli vs Audace Cerignola
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<html> <head><title>Monopoli vs Audace Cerignola – Serie C, Girone C</title></head> <body> <h2>Monopoli vs Audace Cerignola: Cautious First Half, Fire After the Break?</h2> <p>Stadio Vito Simone Veneziani hosts an intriguing early-season clash as Monopoli welcome unbeaten Audace Cerignola. With both teams in the pack behind early leaders Catania and Trapani, this is a chance to set the tone before the schedule tightens.</p> <h3>Form Snapshot and Context</h3> <p>Monopoli’s opening three matches have produced a mixed bag: a spirited 2-2 home draw with Cosenza, a resilient 2-1 win at Siracusa, and a sobering 4-0 defeat away to Catania. They’ve scored in two of three but conceded in all three, and their total-goals profile (3.67 per game) is well above the league average (2.93), a sign of both attacking thrust and defensive fragility.</p> <p>Cerignola, meanwhile, are unbeaten (W1 D2). A 2-2 home draw with Picerno preluded a disciplined 0-0 at Potenza, then a confident 3-1 win over Siracusa powered by Luigi Cuppone’s brace. The Gialloblù have shown a habit of catching fire late: 80% of their goals have arrived after half time.</p> <h3>Tactical Tendencies</h3> <p>Expect Monopoli to seek initiative early in front of their fans, often pushing full-backs high and looking for penalties or set-piece moments—Salvatore Longo converted from the spot at Siracusa. Yet they’ve been porous in defensive transitions, especially late: three goals conceded in the final quarter-hour tells its own story.</p> <p>Cerignola’s attack builds rhythm after the break. Cuppone’s movement across the front line, supported by Michele Emmausso’s carry-and-combination play, tends to stretch tiring defenses. The visitors are also mentally resilient: a perfect equalizing rate so far (100%) indicates belief and structure when chasing games.</p> <h3>Key Matchups</h3> <ul> <li><b>Cuppone vs Monopoli’s center-backs:</b> The in-form striker’s late surges may test Monopoli’s concentration, particularly beyond 70 minutes.</li> <li><b>Monopoli’s set plays vs Cerignola’s shape:</b> The hosts have shared goals among Imputato, Tirelli, Fall and Longo; dead balls could be their best path if open play stalls.</li> <li><b>Midfield control:</b> Early possessions should be fairly cautious; both teams are 67% draws at half time, which aligns with compact midfields and few first-half risks.</li> </ul> <h3>Stat Lines That Matter</h3> <ul> <li><b>Half-time draws:</b> 67% for both teams; Monopoli home HT draw 100%, Cerignola away HT draw 100%.</li> <li><b>Late swing:</b> Cerignola scored 3 of 5 goals between 76-90; Monopoli conceded 3 in the same window.</li> <li><b>Situational strength:</b> Cerignola average 2.00 ppg when conceding first; Monopoli have conceded first in all three matches.</li> <li><b>Defensive disparity:</b> Monopoli concede 2.33 per game (league 1.47); that soft underbelly keeps opponents alive.</li> </ul> <h3>Odds View and Value</h3> <p>Markets shade the visitors as slight favorites (away 2.50 vs home 2.70; draw 3.10). With Cerignola’s away sample just one match, the price on Draw No Bet (1.80) looks the more prudent “lean-away” position than the full match winner. The statistical standout is the first-half draw at 1.91, backed by strong HT stalemate trends on both sides. For totals, rather than full-game overs against a small-sample away profile, the second half over 1.5 at 2.40 targets the clear timing edge—Cerignola’s late scoring and Monopoli’s late concessions.</p> <h3>Projected Flow</h3> <p>Expect a measured, midfield-heavy first half, with both teams comfortable to feel their way in and keep structure—very much a 0-0 or 1-1 HT profile. After the interval, Cerignola’s tempo should rise, especially if Cuppone finds half-spaces or Emmausso isolates a full-back. Monopoli’s home crowd and set-play threat ensure they remain in the contest, fueling a likely exchange after the hour mark.</p> <h3>Final Word</h3> <p>Early season caveats apply, but the patterns are clear: half-time parity, then a livelier second half. A draw at the break and action after it tally well with the numbers and with how each side prefers to play. Small to medium stakes recommended given the small sample sizes, but the value is there—especially in time-based goal markets.</p> </body> </html>
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