League: fiery Sunday for the leading four

It promises to be a very intriguing Sunday in the 19th matchday of the Campionato Sammarinese. On the first weekend of February, all of the top four sides in the table will go head-to-head – on Sunday and all at the same time. The league leaders Virtus host Fiorentino at 15:00, the side currently third in the standings. It will be a genuine showdown at the "Crescentini": on one side Bizzotto’s Neroverdi – still without the suspended Tortori – who are riding an incredible run of 12 consecutive wins; on the other, Tarini’s Rossoblù, one of the surprise packages of the season, keen to keep turning heads. The gap between the two teams is nine points and in the reverse fixture the Acquaviva side brushed aside the Rossoblù with a clear-cut 4-0. Also not to be missed is the clash between La Fiorita and Tre Fiori, again on Sunday at 15:00. Ceci’s Gialloblù are three points off Virtus at the top, while Girolomoni’s men sit fourth, one point behind Fiorentino. The Ezio Conti in Dogana will stage a match between two of the league’s in-form teams: La Fiorita are still unbeaten (the only side in the competition) and come into this on the back of five consecutive wins; Tre Fiori have picked up speed again with three wins in their last five (the last two both by 4-0 scorelines). The reverse fixture was a real battle, edged 2-1 by La Fiorita. Also taking to the field on Sunday afternoon are Murata and Juvenes-Dogana (Domagnano, 15:00). Camillini’s Bianconeri are in good shape (seven points from their last three) and are chasing points to close in on seventh place, which guarantees direct access to the play-offs (currently five points away). Fabbri’s side are further back – currently 13th – but determined at least to clinch a preliminary-round spot. Rounding off both the day and the Sunday schedule, Cailungo and Folgore will kick off at 18:00 in Montecchio. Falciano’s side, currently fifth, are the favourites on paper, even though Lasagni’s men have collected only one point from their last two outings. Despite sitting third from bottom, Sarti’s team had a decent January (one win, two draws, one defeat) and will try to snatch precious points in view of the post-season. Turning to the Saturday fixtures that will open the 19th round, San Giovanni are targeting a third straight win. Tognacci’s team – currently seventh – take on a Faetano side in full-blown crisis (four defeats in a row and 11th place). Kick-off is at 15:00 on the Domagnano artificial pitch. Same kick-off time but a different venue – Fiorentino – for the meeting between Pennarossa and Cosmos. Gialloverdi coach Andy Selva is still chasing his first win with the Serravalle club (two points from three matches since taking charge). Cosmos, moreover, have not won since 15 December 2024. As for Pennarossa, they are bottom of the table but recently Dolci and his men have picked up two valuable draws which have boosted morale. Also kicking off at 15:00 in Montecchio are Libertas and San Marino Academy. It is a very delicate clash in the hotly contested post-season zone: the Granata and the Titani are just a few points off 11th place, which offers access to the preliminary round (one point behind for Buda’s side, five for Cecchetti’s). Both teams also come into this on the back of two straight defeats: a win would give either of them a vital lift in the standings. Saturday’s programme concludes with the game between Tre Penne and Domagnano (Montecchio, 18:00). Berardi’s side have collected ten points from their last five, and seem to have found the right formula. The Biancoazzurri, however, would currently only qualify for the preliminary round, with seventh place just a single point away. Domagnano – currently 10th – are in a relatively comfortable position, but the Giallorossi must be wary of the chasing pack, just a few points behind. Paolo Rossi’s team have also not won since 8 December. Finally, here is the full schedule – with kick-off times and venues – for the 18th matchday of the league, with all fixtures to be broadcast live via streaming with full commentary on the Titani.tv platform: Click here for the updated standings.

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