Cremonese vs Como – News and Probable Lineups

Cremonese will welcome Champions League contenders Como to Stadio Giovanni Zini on the final day of the Serie A season, fully aware that a defeat could spell disaster for their hopes of remaining in the top division.

The two teams from Lombardy will clash on Sunday, with distinct objectives in mind: La Cremo is aiming to surpass Lecce in the relegation battle, while Cesc Fabregas’s squad seeks to cap off a strong season with a Champions League qualification.

Match overview

Cremonese has certainly capitalized on facing Pisa and Udinese during weeks 36 and 37 when both squads had little to play for: the former’s relegation was decided weeks beforehand, and the 10th-placed Udine team could not finish higher than ninth or lower than 11th.

Nonetheless, taking advantage of the league’s bottom team suffering two red cards and Udinese having little motivation allowed La Cremo to claim 3-0 and 1-0 victories, a timely boost for a side that has now won three games under Marco Giampaolo, matching their total wins from the previous 27 league fixtures.

Just a week after achieving back-to-back league victories for the first time since December, the hosts aim to make history by securing three consecutive top-flight wins in one season for the first time this millennium, despite starting the season with wins against Milan and Sassuolo after clinching maximum points on the final day in June 2023 against Salernitana before relegating to Serie B.

This highlights the challenging task ahead for Giampaolo’s squad, who could potentially extend their survival by earning at least a point against their high-flying Lombardy rivals.

With only one point separating Cremonese from 17th-placed Lecce, if the Violini manage to draw with Como and Lupi lose to Genoa at home, both clubs would finish equal on points, resulting in a one-off match at a neutral location.

The ideal scenario would, of course, see Cremonese pulling off an upset against Como while hoping for Lecce to falter against Genoa, allowing Cremonese to remain in the division for consecutive seasons—a feat not accomplished since La Cremona competed in the top flight between 1993-94 and 1995-96.

Fabregas’s squad will not be inclined to assist the Violini, given their aspirations for a place in next season’s Champions League.

The fifth-placed Lariani might find aspects outside their control, but with just two points separating them from Milan and Roma—both sitting at 70 points—they are well-positioned to capitalize on any mistakes made by the Rossoneri or the Giallorossi on the last day.

Como needs to focus on their business at Stadio Zini while hoping for a Milan defeat against Cagliari at San Siro, Roma failing to win against relegated Hellas Verona at the Bentegodi, or both situations occurring.

The Lariani can be confident in overcoming their Sunday opponents, especially since their 41 points in 2026 are surpassed only by champions Inter de Milão (50), while four consecutive clean sheets have seen Fabregas’s team return to a solid defensive foundation after a shaky April.

Since going three games without a win and managing just one point in that period, the Biancoblu have kept Genoa (2-0), Napoli (0-0), Verona (1-0), and Parma (1-0) from scoring, bringing their total shutouts this season to 19—no other team has achieved as many.

While Europa League football next term would be met with enthusiasm, Como’s season could culminate on an even higher note if they manage to edge out Milan or Roma for a spot among Europe’s elite next season.

Team News

With Federico Baschirotto still out due to a thigh injury, Cremonese may field an unchanged side against Como, although Faris Moumbagna (muscle) and Warren Bondo (muscle) will be evaluated before Sunday’s crucial fixture.

Jamie Vardy, who had not scored since January, has now netted opening and decisive goals in consecutive matches against Pisa and Udinese; the veteran forward aims to score in three league games in a row for the first time since April 2024 at Leicester City.

The former Leicester striker, with seven goals, is unlikely to catch Federico Bonazzoli, who has scored in two of the last three league matches, totaling nine Serie A goals ahead of the final round.

Nico Paz is expected to miss Como’s last match of the season as he manages a knee problem that is reportedly causing tension between Como and the Argentina national team.

With potentially their most gifted player sidelined, who has scored 12 goals and provided six assists, the Lariani will rely on Anastasios Douvikas, who has netted 13 goals, and Jesus Rodriguez, who has eight assists, to lead the charge.

While consistent performers Jean Butez and Douvikas are set to start, Jayden Addai (knee) and Alex Valle (muscle) are expected to join Paz on the injury list.

Cremonese probable starting XI:

Audero; Terracciano, Bianchetti, Luperto; Barbieri, Thorsby, Grassi, Maleh, Pezzella; Bonazzoli, Vardy

Como probable starting XI:

Butez; Smolcic, Ramon, Kempf, Moreno; Perrone, Da Cunha; Diao, Baturina, Rodriguez; Douvikas

Cremonese’s recent upswing should make Sunday’s final-day clash significantly more competitive than the standings imply, but Como’s solid defense and superior attacking composure may prove critical in securing another close victory for Fabregas’s team.