CASALE MONFERRATO, Italy (Interstat) — Casale opens its Serie D campaign Saturday against a struggling Castellanzese side at Stadio Natale Palli.

The Week 1 matchup, organized by the Italian Football Federation, pits a Casale team beginning its season against a Castellanzese squad seeking its first win. Castellanzese is 0-1-0 in Serie D and 0-2-0 across all competitions this season.

Castellanzese is coming off a 1-0 home loss to ASD Brusaporto on Oct. 19. Its other recent results include a 2-1 defeat at Villa Valle on Oct. 12 and a wild 8-7 loss at Club Milano on Aug. 31.

Casale’s most recent competitive match was a 1-1 home draw with Asti on May 7, 2023, indicating a long layoff for the club.

Statistical models heavily favor the hosts. Interstat’s game simulator projects a 2-1 victory for Casale, while its ELO rating system gives Casale a 79.50 percent probability to win.

Following this match, Casale’s next scheduled game is at home against Città di Varese on Jan. 1, 2026.