Futsal: Murata looking to pull away, Cosmos threat for Virtus

With the Futsal National Team’s excellent performance at the recent January Cup in Labin now consigned to the archives, the league returns tomorrow evening with the 18th matchday. The league leaders Murata – still unbeaten – will be on court in Domagnano at 20:15 against Tre Fiori. All the pre-match predictions favour the defending champions, as the Gialloblù remain second from bottom in the table and are coming off five straight defeats. The second game (21:45), also in Domagnano, will instead see Pennarossa and Libertas face off. Results have been up and down for the Biancorossi: despite sitting fifth, the gap to the Fab Four is already quite large (ten points off fourth place), but the Chiesanuova side will face a Libertas in crisis. The Granata, in fact, have not picked up a point since as far back as 1 December last year.

Domagnano are also looking for a reaction, as they take on Cailungo tomorrow at 20:15. On the artificial surface in Fiorentino, the Wolves will try to claim their first win of the new year and change gear after a dull spell (just one victory in their last five outings). The Rossoverdi are not in great shape either: stuck on 9 points and without a win since 20 November. Afterwards, at 21:45 and still in Fiorentino, Faetano and La Fiorita will meet. It promises to be an intriguing clash between two sides who both won in the last round. Favourites are the team from Montegiardino, currently third alongside Virtus and on an impressive nine-game unbeaten run. The fine win over San Giovanni has boosted Selva’s players, taking them into double figures in the standings and up to tenth place.

Interesting and finely balanced fixtures are also on the cards tomorrow evening in Dogana. In the first match (20:15), Michelotti’s Virtus want to keep their winning streak going (four victories in a row) and remain in the upper reaches of the table – they are currently third, three points off top spot. Standing in their way, however, is a Cosmos side among the form teams of the moment: Franchino’s Gialloverdi arrive on the back of five consecutive wins and will try to trouble the Acquaviva outfit. In the later game in Dogana (21:45) it is time for yet another castle derby of Serravalle between Folgore and Juvenes Dogana. Just two points separate the two teams in the table, with the Giallorossoneri (7th place) ahead of their rivals. The only indoor fixture is the one in Acquaviva between Tre Penne and Fiorentino (22:00). The Rossoblù return to the court a week on from their fine win over Domagnano, but the Biancoazzurri are flying: five wins on the bounce and second place, just a single point behind leaders Murata.

Here is the schedule for matchday 18 of the futsal league: