ROME (Interstat) — Ascoli Calcio 1898 FC hosts Catania on Sunday, May 24, in a Serie C matchup that pits a surging home side against a visiting team mired in a frustrating winless run. Kickoff is scheduled for the afternoon at Stadio Cino e Lillo Del Duca.

Ascoli enters the contest looking to rebound from a 1-0 loss at Campobasso FC on April 26, a result that snapped a strong run. Prior to that defeat, Ascoli had been formidable, winning five of its previous six matches. That stretch included a 2-1 win at SS Arezzo on March 30, a 2-0 victory over Ravenna FC on March 9, and a 3-0 thrashing of AC Carpi on Feb. 28. The home side has been particularly stingy defensively, posting four clean sheets in its last six games overall, with the only goals conceded coming in the narrow win at Arezzo.

Catania, meanwhile, arrives seeking its first victory in six matches. The visitors played to a scoreless draw against Calcio Lecco 1912 on May 17, the fourth draw in their last five outings. That result followed a 1-1 tie at Atalanta BC U23 on April 26 and another 1-1 draw at home against Potenza Calcio on April 19. Catania’s last win came on March 28, a 1-0 result at Latina. The team has struggled to find the back of the net consistently, scoring just three goals across its last six matches, and has been held scoreless in four of those games. Defensively, Catania has been relatively solid, but the inability to finish chances has cost them valuable points in the standings.

The historical context favors Ascoli, who have looked the sharper side in recent weeks. Catania will need to find a spark on the road to break their winless streak against an Ascoli team eager to get back on track after the loss to Campobasso.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a tight, low-scoring affair, with a final score of Ascoli 1, Catania 0. The prediction leans on Ascoli’s recent defensive form and Catania’s offensive struggles.