Monza vs Avellino Prediction & Betting Tips (14 August)

AC Monza will host US Avellino 1912 in a Coppa Italia first-round tie on Friday, August 14, 2026, at the U-Power Stadium in Monza, with kick-off scheduled for 19:45 local time. The Biancorossi return to Italy's top flight this season after earning promotion through the Serie B playoffs, while Avellino remain in the second tier following their eighth-place finish last term. Both clubs enter the cup competition with one eye on their upcoming league campaigns, as Monza prepare for a daunting Serie A opener away to Inter Milan and Avellino gear up for another Serie B season under new management.

Recent form suggests Monza hold the edge heading into this encounter, having secured promotion with strong performances in the latter stages of last season, including a 2-1 victory over Juve Stabia in the playoff semi-finals and a 1-1 draw away to Catanzaro. Avellino, meanwhile, ended their campaign on a sour note with a heavy 3-0 defeat at Catanzaro in the promotion preliminary round, though they did manage a convincing 2-0 win over Bari in late April. The two sides met twice in Serie B last season, each winning their home fixture 2-1, and they also share a Coppa Italia history dating back to 2013.

For the 2026/2027 season, Monza have strengthened their squad with several new faces including Portugal Under-20s international Gustavo Varela, Inter Milan loanee Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, and Southampton winger Jay Robinson, while captain Matteo Pessina continues to lead the engine room under new head coach Ivan Juric. Avellino will be guided by World Cup winner Alessandro Nesta, with Greek midfielder Dimitris Sounas wearing the armband, though the visitors will be without defenders Marco Sala and Lorenco Simic through injury. Recent loan signing Daniel Fila from Venezia is expected to lead the line for the Biancoverdi, while Monza may opt to blood in some of their summer acquisitions ahead of next week's league opener.

Bookmakers have installed Monza as clear favourites for this cup tie, offering European odds of 1.61 for a home win, 3.90 for the draw, and 4.75 for an Avellino victory. Given Monza's superior squad depth, home advantage at the U-Power Stadium, and their encouraging pre-season form which included an eye-catching victory over Galatasaray, our prediction is a narrow 1:0 win for the hosts. The Biancorossi should have enough quality to see off their Serie B opponents and advance to the second round, where the winner will meet either Torino or Carrar