Mantova and Sampdoria meet in an important Serie B fixture on September 13, 2026, with kick-off scheduled for 15:15 at the Stadio Danilo Martelli. The fourth league matchday finds the two sides in sharply contrasting situations. Mantova are second in the standings after collecting two wins and one draw, while Sampdoria sit 18th with one point from their first three league games. The hosts have slowed slightly after an excellent opening run, following a Coppa Italia defeat against Palermo with a 1-1 draw away to Cesena. Sampdoria, meanwhile, are still searching for their first Serie B victory of the season and arrive after losing 3-1 to Palermo. Early results therefore give Mantova the stronger platform, but both teams have conceded regularly enough to make this an important test of defensive concentration.

Mantova Recent Form and Key Statistics

Mantova began their campaign by defeating Lazio, Carrarese and Empoli in succession across their early competitive schedule. That winning run ended with a Coppa Italia loss to Palermo, before the team earned a 1-1 draw against Cesena on September 6. Their record across the last five matches stands at three wins, one draw and one defeat, with averages of 2.0 goals scored and 1.6 conceded per game.

Their Serie B numbers are particularly encouraging. Mantova remain unbeaten after three league fixtures, recording two victories and one draw. They have averaged 2.0 goals per match while conceding 1.0, figures which underline the productive start that has taken them to second place. Although the most recent results have interrupted their sequence of victories, the overall record remains positive and consistent with their stated objective of securing survival.

Several longer-term trends offer further context for this Mantova vs Sampdoria preview. Each of Mantova's last 10 matches has produced more than 1.5 total goals, while their last 14 games have all contained at least one second-half goal. The same second-half pattern has appeared in each of their previous 12 Serie B fixtures. Mantova have also been ahead at half-time in eight of their last 13 league matches, suggesting that they are capable of establishing an early advantage even though at least one team has failed to score before the interval in each of their last 20 games.

• Serie B record: two wins, one draw and no defeats.
• Last five matches: three wins, one draw and one loss.
• Scoring average in Serie B: 2.0 goals per match.
• Second-half trend: at least one goal in 14 consecutive matches.

Sampdoria Recent Form and Key Statistics

Sampdoria travel to Mantova under considerably greater pressure. Their summer changes have not yet produced the desired results, with the team failing to win any of its opening three Serie B matches. A league record of one draw and two defeats has left the visitors in 18th position. Across their last five competitive games, they have managed one victory and one draw while suffering three losses.

The 3-1 defeat against Palermo on September 7 was their latest setback. Sampdoria have scored an average of 1.0 goal and conceded 1.6 across their last five matches. In Serie B alone, the attacking average remains 1.0, but the average conceded rises to 2.0 goals per fixture. The article's wider competitive record also shows eight goals allowed in four games, highlighting the defensive instability that has accompanied their difficult start.

Corradi continues to deal with injury concerns and hopes to recover Lauritsen and Ravanelli. Defensive errors have been a major issue, with goalkeeper Vindahl also identified as having made repeated mistakes during the opening part of the campaign. Another defeat would deepen the uncertainty around a team that urgently needs a positive result.

Despite the defensive problems, Sampdoria's match trends do not point exclusively towards very high totals. Fewer than 3.5 goals have been scored in 25 of their last 27 matches. Their first halves have been especially restrained: 22 of the previous 24 games have featured fewer than 1.5 goals before the break, including 21 of their last 23 Serie B matches. At least one side has also failed to score in the first half in each of Sampdoria's previous 24 fixtures, while the visitors have gone into half-time behind in their last three away matches.

• Serie B record: no wins, one draw and two defeats.
• Last five matches: one win, one draw and three losses.
• League goals conceded: an average of 2.0 per match.
• First-half trend: under 1.5 goals in 22 of the last 24 matches.

Mantova vs Sampdoria Match Analysis

The statistical comparison gives Mantova a clear advantage heading into this Serie B contest. They are unbeaten in the league, have scored twice as many goals per match on average as Sampdoria, and possess the stronger recent record. The supplied win probabilities also place the hosts in front at 44%, compared with 29% for the draw and 26% for a Sampdoria victory.

Recent head-to-head figures strengthen Mantova's case. From the recorded series against Sampdoria, they have two wins, one draw and one defeat, averaging 1.3 goals scored and 1.0 conceded. Mantova also won the latest meeting 2-1 on February 21, 2026. That result does not guarantee a repeat, but it adds to the evidence supporting the home side's prospects of avoiding defeat.

The scoring outlook is more balanced. Mantova's last 10 matches have all gone over 1.5 total goals, yet Sampdoria's repeated under 3.5 and low-scoring first-half trends indicate that the contest may develop gradually. The visitors' need for points could encourage a more open approach, but their lack of a league victory and their record of trailing at half-time in three consecutive away games make them difficult to support outright. Mantova's unbeaten Serie B start, stronger scoring average and favorable recent head-to-head record make the home-or-draw outcome the most coherent conclusion.

Mantova vs Sampdoria prediction from BetMines: Mantova or Draw (1X) with 74% probability.