Football in Italy’s second tier is a grind. Plain and simple. If you’re looking at the Venezia vs Juve Stabia fixture and thinking it’s just another date on the calendar, you’re kinda missing the bigger picture of how the 2025-2026 Serie B season is actually shaking out.
Venezia is currently sitting pretty in second place. They’ve got 38 points from 19 games and look every bit like a team destined to return to the top flight. But then there’s Juve Stabia. The "Vespe" are lingering in 9th, being annoying to every big club they face. They don't score a ton, but they are incredibly hard to beat at home.
Honestly, the last time these two met back in August 2025, it was a total stalemate. 0-0. But that scoreline doesn't tell half the story.
The August Red Card That Changed Everything
When Venezia traveled to the Stadio Romeo Menti in matchday two, they expected to dominate. It didn't happen. The game turned on its head in the 37th minute when John Yeboah saw red for violent conduct.
Venezia had to play over an hour with ten men. On a pitch that head coach Giovanni Stroppa later described as "very tough," the lagunari had to dig deep. Most teams would have folded. Instead, Filip Stankovic put on a clinic in goal, keeping out efforts from Leonardo Candellone and Rares Burnete.
That 0-0 draw was a massive statement of intent for Venezia’s grit. It showed they weren't just a "pretty" team that relies on Gianluca Busio’s creativity. They could suffer.
Why Juve Stabia is a Tactical Nightmare
Juve Stabia, managed by Ignazio Abate, plays a brand of football that basically aims to suffocate you. They’ve drawn 9 of their first 19 matches. That is a staggering number. They aren't interested in being part of your highlight reel.
They rely heavily on a defensive spine.
- Alessandro Confente is a wall in goal.
- Lorenzo Carissoni is a defender who somehow has 3 goals this season.
- Giuseppe Leone sits in the midfield and just breaks up play for 90 minutes straight.
If you’re Venezia, you hate playing these guys. You want space. You want to use the width of the Pier Luigi Penzo. Juve Stabia? They want to turn the game into a wrestling match in the middle of the park.
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Standings Check: The Promotion Battle
Venezia is chasing Frosinone, who is leading the pack with 41 points. Being just three points off the top, every single slip-up feels like a catastrophe. The pressure in Venice is real.
| Club | Played | Points | GD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frosinone | 19 | 41 | +20 |
| Venezia | 19 | 38 | +19 |
| Monza | 19 | 37 | +12 |
| Palermo | 19 | 34 | +15 |
Juve Stabia is at the other end of the "relevance" spectrum, fighting to stay in the playoff conversation. They have 27 points. They’re tied with Empoli and only a few points behind the likes of Catanzaro and Cesena. A win against a titan like Venezia would be the fuel they need to actually crack the top eight.
Key Players and Who’s Out
As we move deeper into January 2026, the injury list is starting to look like a grocery receipt. Long and depressing.
Venezia has been dealing with a rotating door in the medical room. Giorgio Altare has been out with a cruciate ligament injury, though he’s nearing a return. Alfred Duncan has been a massive miss in the midfield with recurring muscle issues.
For Juve Stabia, they’ve lost a bit of their bite with Giacomo Stabile taking some knocks recently. They need Leonardo Candellone to find his scoring boots again—he’s got 5 goals so far, but he’s gone quiet in the big games.
What to Expect in the Return Leg
The next meeting at the Penzo is scheduled for April 6, 2026. By then, the stakes will be astronomical.
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Venezia will likely be in a "must-win" mode to secure automatic promotion. Juve Stabia will likely be fighting for their lives to stay in the promotion playoff spots. It’s the classic Serie B clash: the aristocrats versus the grinders.
Most people get this matchup wrong by assuming Venezia will steamroll them at home. Don't be so sure. Juve Stabia’s away record isn't great (only 1 win in 9 tries), but they specialize in the "ugly draw." If they can frustrate Busio and keep the game scoreless past the 60th minute, the Venetian crowd will start to get very, very nervous.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're following this rivalry or looking at the odds, keep these specific factors in mind:
- Watch the First 15 Minutes: Venezia likes to start fast at the Penzo. If Juve Stabia survives the initial onslaught without conceding, the "Under 2.5 goals" market becomes very attractive.
- Monitor the Card Count: These games are historically chippy. With the red card in the last meeting, expect the referee to be busy.
- The Stankovic Factor: Filip Stankovic is arguably the best keeper in the league right now. He bails Venezia out of defensive lapses constantly.
- Check the Grass: The Penzo is a unique stadium. The wind coming off the lagoon can actually mess with long balls and crosses more than you'd think.
Keep an eye on the transfer window closing at the end of January. If Venezia adds another clinical striker to support Gytkjaer and Pohjanpalo, the dynamic of the Juve Stabia rematch changes entirely. Until then, expect a tactical chess match that's way more intense than the league table suggests.
Check the official Serie B schedule for any kickoff time shifts, as TV rights often move these high-profile April fixtures to late-night slots.