Palermo – Ascoli

Palermo sit atop the table with 13 points from an unbeaten run of four wins and a draw, boasting a comfortable 10‑5 goal difference, while fifth‑placed Ascoli trail by three points on the back of three victories, one stalemate and a single loss, scoring seven and conceding four. The clash at the Stadio Renzo Barbera pits the league leaders against a side that has already proven it can grind out results, and the three‑point gap promises a tight contest for the top‑five spots. Both teams have shown defensive solidity, Palermo keeping clean sheets in most of their games and Ascoli conceding just four goals in five matches, suggesting a battle that could be decided by a moment of attacking flair. A win for Palermo would widen their lead, but a draw could see Ascoli close the gap and keep the race for European qualification alive.