Palermo and Mantova lead the early 2026-27 Serie B table after four matchdays, with the Rosanero sitting atop the standings on strong attacking form under Filippo Inzaghi. Relegated Serie A sides Cremonese, Hellas Verona, and Pisa entered as pre-season favorites but have posted uneven results, including Verona’s heavy defeat to Benevento and Cremonese’s struggles in attack. Promotion typically requires consistent points accumulation across 38 rounds plus potential playoffs, where recent history shows multiple teams within striking distance until spring. Squad investments exceeding €25 million and the presence of experienced players from higher divisions have raised overall quality, yet early injuries, fixture congestion, and the physical demands of the league continue to shape the race for direct promotion and playoff berths.