Torino vs Cremonese Match Preview: Critical Relegation Battle at Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino

Match Details

Competition: Serie A 2025/26 – Matchday 15
Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025
Kick-off Time: 14:00 UTC (15:00 CET / 9:00 AM ET)
Venue: Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino, Turin, Italy
Referee: TBC

Current League Standings & Form

Torino – Spiraling Toward Relegation

Position: 16th Place
Points: 14 points from 14 matches
Record: 4 wins, 2 draws, 8 losses
Goals Scored: 14 | Goals Conceded: 26
Goal Difference: -12

Recent Form (Last 6 Matches): D-D-D-L-L-L
Il Toro are experiencing a catastrophic collapse in form. After three consecutive draws offered hope, they’ve now lost three straight matches, conceding at least two goals in each defeat. The recent 2-3 home loss to Milan was particularly devastating, and they currently sit just four points above the relegation zone. Manager Marco Baroni is under immense pressure with his side registering the worst defensive record in Serie A.

Last Five Results:

• Torino 2-3 AC Milan (Dec 9) – Serie A
• Lecce 2-0 Torino (Nov 30) – Serie A
• Como 5-1 Torino (Nov 23) – Serie A (humiliating defeat)
• Torino 1-1 Genoa (Nov 9) – Serie A
• Torino 1-1 Fiorentina (Oct 26) – Serie A

Cremonese – Newly Promoted Overachievers

Position: 9th Place
Points: 20 points from 14 matches
Record: 5 wins, 5 draws, 4 losses
Goals Scored: 18 | Goals Conceded: 17
Goal Difference: +1

Recent Form (Last 6 Matches): W-W-W-L-D-D
The Grigiorossi have been the surprise package of Serie A this season. After earning promotion, they’re punching well above their weight and sit comfortably in 9th place, just four points from European qualification. Two consecutive victories over Bologna (3-1 away) and Lecce (2-0 home) have given them tremendous confidence and momentum heading to Turin.

Last Five Results:

• Cremonese 2-0 Lecce (Dec 7) – Serie A
• Bologna 1-3 Cremonese (Dec 1) – Serie A
• Cremonese 1-1 Napoli (Nov 23) – Serie A
• Atalanta 2-1 Cremonese (Nov 9) – Serie A
• Cremonese 3-0 Empoli (Nov 2) – Serie A

Head-to-Head Record

The historical record between these two Italian clubs is relatively balanced:

Recent Meetings:

• Torino 2-2 Cremonese (Feb 23, 2023) – Serie A
• Cremonese 1-1 Torino (Sep 25, 2022) – Serie A
• Torino 1-1 Cremonese (Apr 2, 2022) – Serie B
• Cremonese 1-2 Torino (Nov 21, 2021) – Serie B
• Torino 3-1 Cremonese (Mar 6, 2021) – Serie B

Overall Head-to-Head Stats (Last 7 meetings):

• Torino wins: 3 (43%)
• Cremonese wins: 1 (14%)
• Draws: 3 (43%)
• Total goals scored: 14 (Average 2.00 per match)

Key Statistics:

• Last 5 meetings: Torino 1 win, Cremonese 1 win, 3 draws
• The previous 3 meetings in Turin all finished with over 2.5 goals
• Both teams scored in 6 of the last 7 meetings
• Recent encounters have been tight, low-scoring affairs
• Draw in the last 2 consecutive head-to-head matches

Team News & Injuries

Torino Injury List

Out:

• Perr Schuurs (Knee injury – long-term, out until 2026)
• Zanos Savva (Injury – unavailable)
• Duván Zapata (Knee injury – season-ending, was second top scorer with 3 goals)
• Gvidas Gineitis (Contusion – doubtful, expected return mid-December)
• Cristian Biraghi (Muscle injury – doubtful)

Doubts:

• Adrien Tamèze (Injury concerns)
• Ardian Ismajli (Injury concerns)

Key Players Available:

• Giovanni Simeone (Forward – 4 goals, top scorer on loan from Napoli)
• Nikola Vlasic (Midfielder – 2 goals, 1 assist, creative force)
• Cyril Ngonge (Forward – 3 goals on loan from Napoli)
• Saúl Coco (Defender – 1 assist, experienced)
• Franco Israel (Goalkeeper – under immense pressure)
• Kristjan Asllani (Midfielder – on loan from Inter, key playmaker)

Cremonese Injury List

Out:

• M’Bala Nzola (Suspended – red card, unavailable until Dec 21)
• Minimal other injury concerns

Key Players Available:

• Andrea Colpani (Forward – 5 goals, top scorer)
• Nicolò Rovella (Midfielder – 4 goals, crucial to their play)
• Luca Zanimacchia (Defender – 2 goals, attacking threat from defense)
• Mouhamadou Sarr (Midfielder – 4 assists, creative hub)
• Giacomo Quagliata (Defender – 2 assists)
• Ionuț Radu (Goalkeeper – experienced veteran)
• Federico Bonazzoli (Forward – 3 goals, secondary scoring threat)

Tactical Analysis

Torino’s Approach

Manager Marco Baroni typically deploys a 3-5-2 formation, emphasizing width through wing-backs and direct attacking play. However, with the worst defensive record in Serie A (26 goals conceded in 14 matches), tactical adjustments are desperately needed. Expect a more defensive setup given their recent shipping of goals.

Strengths:

• Home advantage at Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino
• Simeone’s finishing ability (4 goals)
• Loan signings from top clubs (Simeone, Ngonge, Asllani)
• Historical slight edge over Cremonese
• Desperate urgency to end losing streak

Weaknesses:

• Worst defensive record in entire Serie A (26 goals conceded)
• Three consecutive defeats with alarming goal concessions
• Lost 5-1 to Como (humiliating)
• Poor home form (only 8 points from 7 home matches)
• Key striker Zapata out for the season
• Confidence completely shattered
• Just 4 points above relegation zone

Cremonese’s Game Plan

Manager Giovanni Stroppa employs a flexible 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation, prioritizing possession, patient build-up, and exploiting spaces through quick transitions. Their impressive away record and momentum give them genuine belief.

Strengths:

• Excellent recent form (won last 2 matches)
• Impressive 9th place position as promoted side
• Strong away record (2 wins, 2 draws, 3 losses)
• Just 4 points from European qualification
• Balanced scoring (Colpani 5, Rovella 4)
• Positive goal difference (+1)
• Confidence sky-high

Weaknesses:

• Nzola suspended (3 goals lost)
• Newly promoted side still adapting to top flight
• Can be vulnerable against desperate opponents
• Limited squad depth compared to established clubs
• Tendency to concede first

Key Battles

Giovanni Simeone vs. Cremonese’s Defense
Torino’s top scorer with 4 goals will be crucial to any hopes of victory. The Argentine forward on loan from Napoli must exploit Cremonese’s defensive vulnerabilities and lead the home side’s desperate charge.

Andrea Colpani vs. Torino’s Fragile Defense
Cremonese’s top scorer with 5 goals faces the worst defense in Serie A. His clinical finishing and ability to find space could prove devastating against Torino’s leaky backline that conceded 5 against Como.

Nikola Vlasic vs. Nicolò Rovella
Two of the most creative players in this fixture will battle for midfield supremacy. Vlasic’s technical quality must overcome Rovella’s energy and goal threat (4 goals from midfield) in what could be the decisive individual duel.

Torino’s Defense vs. Their Own Demons
With 26 goals conceded, Torino’s defensive unit faces their biggest challenge: overcoming psychological fragility. Can Coco, Maripán, and Tamèze hold firm against in-form attackers, or will more defensive errors prove costly?

Statistical Insights

Scoring Trends:

• Torino average 1.00 goals scored and 1.86 goals conceded per match
• Cremonese average 1.29 goals scored and 1.21 goals conceded per match
• Torino conceded at least 2 goals in 8 of their 14 matches
• Last 3 Torino home fixtures all featured over 2.5 goals

Form Analysis:

• Torino: Winless in last 6 matches (3 draws, 3 losses)
• Cremonese: Won 2 consecutive matches after mixed run
• Torino home form: 55.56% of matches featured Over 2.5 goals
• Cremonese away form: 71.43% of matches featured Over 1.5 goals

Head-to-Head Trends:

• Both teams scored in 6 of last 7 meetings
• Average 2.00 goals per match in direct encounters
• Last 3 meetings in Turin all produced over 2.5 goals
• Recent trend toward draws between these sides

Betting Odds & Market Analysis

Match Result (Approximate Odds):

• Torino Win: 1.99 to 2.10 (-101 to +110)
• Draw: 3.40 to 3.43 (+240 to +243)
• Cremonese Win: 3.50 to 4.70 (+250 to +370)

Goals Market:

• Over 2.5 Goals: 1.95 to 2.10 (+95 to +110)
• Under 2.5 Goals: 1.70 to 1.85 (-143 to -118)
• Both Teams to Score – Yes: 1.80 to 2.00 (-125 to +100)
• Both Teams to Score – No: 1.90 to 2.00 (-110 to +100)

Correct Score:

• Torino 2-1: 8.50 (+750)
• 1-1 Draw: 6.50 (+550)
• Torino 1-0: 8.00 (+700)
• Cremonese 2-1: 10.00 (+900)

Anytime Goalscorer:

• Giovanni Simeone: 2.75 (+175)
• Andrea Colpani: 3.25 (+225)
• Cyril Ngonge: 3.50 (+250)
• Nicolò Rovella: 4.50 (+350)

Expert Prediction & Analysis

This Saturday afternoon encounter at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino represents a fascinating contrast in fortunes. Torino are spiraling dangerously toward the relegation zone, while newly promoted Cremonese are dreaming of European qualification. The psychological and tactical dynamics make this one of the weekend’s most intriguing fixtures.

Torino’s situation is critical. Three consecutive defeats, conceding 9 goals in the process, including a humiliating 5-1 thrashing by Como, has left the club in crisis. Manager Marco Baroni’s position is under serious threat, and the pressure on the players is immense. Their defensive record is the worst in Serie A—an alarming statistic that Cremonese will surely look to exploit. The loss of Duván Zapata for the season has robbed them of a key goalscorer, though Simeone has stepped up admirably with 4 goals.

However, Torino cannot afford to lose this match. Playing at home against a promoted side, regardless of Cremonese’s impressive form, represents their best opportunity to arrest the slide. Desperation can be a powerful motivator, and the home crowd will demand a response after recent humiliations. The head-to-head history shows that matches between these sides are typically tight, with recent encounters producing both goals and entertainment.

Cremonese arrive in exceptional spirits. Back-to-back victories over Bologna and Lecce have propelled them to 9th place—a remarkable achievement for a newly promoted side. Andrea Colpani leads the attack with 5 goals, while Nicolò Rovella provides quality and goals from midfield. Their away form has been solid, and they possess the tactical discipline and confidence to trouble any opponent, especially one as defensively fragile as Torino.

The suspension of M’Bala Nzola (3 goals) weakens Cremonese’s attacking options, but their collective quality should compensate. Manager Giovanni Stroppa has instilled belief and organization that makes them a genuine threat to finish in European positions. However, playing against desperate opponents is always dangerous, and Cremonese must guard against complacency.

The statistical trends overwhelmingly suggest goals in this fixture. Torino’s home matches have regularly featured over 2.5 goals, while both teams have scored in 6 of the last 7 meetings. Torino’s defensive frailties combined with Cremonese’s attacking quality makes a high-scoring affair likely.

The key factor is Torino’s desperation. While Cremonese possess superior form and momentum, home advantage and sheer necessity should inspire Torino to produce their best performance in weeks. However, their defensive problems won’t disappear overnight, and Cremonese have the quality to punish mistakes.

Score Prediction

Torino 2-1 Cremonese

Verdict

Torino will secure a vital, hard-fought victory that provides temporary relief in their relegation battle, while ending Cremonese’s winning streak. This prediction is based on several crucial factors: Torino’s desperate need for three points, home advantage, and historical patterns showing they can compete with Cremonese.

While Cremonese enter with superior form and table position, football often defies logic when teams are fighting for survival. Torino’s players understand that another defeat could seal their fate and cost Baroni his job. This existential pressure should produce a passionate, committed performance—particularly in front of their home supporters who will demand nothing less.

Giovanni Simeone will likely be the hero, capitalizing on chances created by Vlasic and Asllani’s creativity. However, Torino’s defensive vulnerabilities mean they won’t keep a clean sheet. Colpani or Rovella will find the net for Cremonese, exploiting the spaces that Torino’s desperate attacking leaves behind. The match will be tense, physical, and emotionally charged—exactly the type of encounter where home advantage proves decisive.

Key to the Match:

• Torino MUST start aggressively and score first
• Defensive organization crucial—can they avoid another collapse?
• Simeone’s finishing ability will be decisive
• Cremonese must avoid complacency against desperate opponents
• Set pieces likely to play significant role
• First goal psychologically massive for Torino’s confidence

This promises to be an entertaining, goal-filled encounter where passion and desperation meet quality and confidence. Both teams need points for vastly different reasons—Torino for survival, Cremonese for European dreams. The home side’s urgent necessity should just edge them to victory in what will be a thrilling, nervy affair.

Torino’s defensive problems remain a concern, ensuring Cremonese will score, but the combination of home advantage, desperate motivation, and attacking quality through Simeone should produce enough goals to secure all three points. A 2-1 Torino victory reflects the balance between their attacking potential and defensive fragility, offering hope that they can escape the relegation battle while acknowledging Cremonese’s quality will ensure they don’t make it easy.