Who are SPAL? The Serie A underdogs on the cusp of a miracle

While the likes of Benevento have chopped and changed tactically to little avail, Semplici hasn’t tinkered with his side’s 3-5-2 set-up, and it’s now working wonders.

It isn’t always pretty, but his midfield five are extremely well-balanced. In the centre of the park, loanee duo Jasmin Kurtic and Federico Viviani are combative, tough-tackling ball-winners.

Meanwhile on the flanks, the likes of Manuel Lazzari have produced goals and creativity. Add in a wily and experienced back three, and they’re proving extremely hard to break down.

Now unbeaten in seven games, they became the first side to shut-out Juventus on their travels in Serie A since October 2016.

Run-in and league table will offer comforts

With six games remaining, SPAL sit a point above the drop zone. However, their situation is less precarious than it might initially appear.

For starters, there are a handful of sides in touching distance above them. Cagliari in 14^th place sit just three points above Semplici’s 17^th-placed Biancazzurri side.

Meanwhile, one relegation spot has already been all-but ruled out, with Benevento’s immediate relegation seemingly just a matter of time. And SPAL’s run-in looks generous.

They face three of the bottom six before the season ends, including a home meeting with Benevento. Tonight’s opponents are Chievo Verona, who travel to the Stadio Paolo Mazza on the back of nine successive away defeats.

It’s 5/4 for a SPAL victory, while key hitman Antenucci is 6/4 to score anytime. As for a SPAL win with a clean sheet, that’s priced up at odds of 23/10.

Midweek action across Italy

That clash with Chievo is just one of the nine Serie A fixtures taking place tonight.

Elsewhere, Juventus are 3/10 to continue their winning run away to lowly Crotone. Meanwhile, high-scoring Lazio head to in-form Fiorentina, and the odds make it 2/1 for Over 3.5 Goals.

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All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing