Cesena host Mantova at the Orogel Stadium-Dino Manuzzi on September 6, with kick-off scheduled for 13:00 local time. This Serie B fixture brings together two teams that have made unbeaten starts to the league campaign. Cesena have collected one victory and one draw, while Mantova have taken maximum points from their opening two matches. The visitors enter the contest second in the rankings, with Cesena fourth, but both sides have already shown enough attacking quality to make this an intriguing early-season encounter. Mantova have been particularly productive in front of goal, whereas the home team can again look to Cristian Shpendi after his decisive contributions in the first two rounds.

Cesena Recent Form and Key Statistics

Cesena began their Serie B season with a draw against Sampdoria before earning a 2-1 away victory over Virtus Entella on August 29. That sequence gives Alessandro Diamanti's team a record of one win, one draw and no defeats in the competition. Cesena are averaging 1.5 goals scored and 1.0 conceded per league match.

Cristian Shpendi has scored in both of Cesena's opening fixtures. The 23-year-old has already reached 50 goals for the club and remains a central figure after recording double figures in three consecutive seasons. His early impact gives the hosts an established source of goals as they attempt to build on their positive start.

Across their last five matches, Cesena have registered two victories, two draws and one defeat. During that run they averaged 1.2 goals scored and 1.0 conceded. The numbers describe a side that has generally remained competitive while maintaining a reasonable balance between attack and defence.

There have still been occasional scoreless matches in Cesena's broader record. Three of their last 12 Serie B games ended with under 0.5 total goals, while the same outcome occurred in three of their last 13 matches across all competitions. However, their two league fixtures this season have produced goals, and Shpendi has found the net in each of them.

Mantova Recent Form and Key Statistics

Mantova arrive with a perfect Serie B record of two wins from two matches. They are averaging 2.5 goals scored and 1.0 conceded per league fixture, giving them the stronger attacking average of the two teams. Their full-points start has placed them second in the current rankings ahead of the trip to Cesena.

The visitors have scored at least two goals in each of their four outings this season. That run continued despite a heavy 5-2 defeat against Palermo in the Coppa Italia on September 3. Mantova stayed involved in that match for a substantial period and found the net through Ruocco and Kouda, although the final result ended their run of victories.

Over their latest five matches, Mantova have produced three wins and two defeats, scoring an average of 1.8 goals and conceding 1.6. Those figures underline both their offensive threat and their tendency to allow opportunities at the other end. Their recent games have therefore offered a noticeably more open statistical profile than Cesena's.

• Mantova's last 13 matches have all featured at least one second-half goal.
• Their last 11 Serie B matches have also produced over 0.5 goals after half-time.
• At least one first-half goal has been recorded in Mantova's last 11 away matches in Serie B.
• Their previous 10 away fixtures have all finished with over 1.5 total goals.

These sequences suggest that Mantova matches regularly generate scoring activity at different stages. Their perfect league record provides confidence, but conceding five against Palermo also means they travel to face Cesena immediately after a demanding and high-scoring cup contest.

Cesena vs Mantova Match Analysis

The contrast between Cesena's measured league start and Mantova's higher-scoring profile shapes the outlook for this match. The hosts have conceded only one goal per Serie B fixture and have avoided defeat in both rounds. Mantova have matched that defensive average in the league while scoring 2.5 goals per game, although their latest cup appearance exposed greater vulnerability.

Cesena can take encouragement from having scored three goals across their first two league games, with Shpendi responsible for a goal in each. Mantova, meanwhile, have scored at least twice in every outing this season. With both sides already demonstrating a consistent route to goal, neither team enters this fixture relying solely on defensive resistance.

The head-to-head record adds another layer to the preview. From Cesena's perspective, the summary stands at three wins, no draws and two defeats, with averages of 1.8 goals scored and 2.2 conceded. The most recent meeting finished 3-0 on March 17, 2026. While that result did not feature goals for both teams, the wider head-to-head averages point to a series that has produced significant scoring.

The supplied probabilities give Cesena a 46% chance of victory, compared with 27% for the draw and 28% for Mantova. That makes the hosts the likelier match winner, but the attacking evidence provides a stronger basis for focusing on goals from each side. Both Teams To Score is rated at 53%, while under 2.5 goals is narrowly assessed at 51%. Given Mantova's scoring run, Cesena's unbeaten league opening and Shpendi's form, an exchange of goals represents the most coherent conclusion.

Cesena vs Mantova prediction from BetMines: Both Teams To Score (Yes) with 53% probability.