Mantova - Pisa

Mantova enter matchday 5 of the Serie B season following a positive run, highlighted by a recent 2-0 victory over Sampdoria. While their Coppa Italia campaign ended with a heavy defeat to Palermo, their league form remains resilient, including a 3-1 win against Empoli in late August. Conversely, Pisa arrive at Stadio Danilo Martelli looking to recover from a difficult week, having suffered a 3-0 loss to Fiorentina in the cup and a 4-1 league defeat against Virtus Entella. The visitors will have to navigate this challenge without the suspended Mehdi Leris, while Mantova must adjust to the absence of the injured Simone Trimboli.

The expected XI for Mantova features Ettore Gliozzi and Rares Ilie in attack, while Pisa are set to rely on Andrea Petagna to lead their forward line. History favors the visitors, who claimed victories in both Serie B meetings during the previous campaign, including a 3-1 result on 16 March 2025. As these two sides meet on 20 September 2026, the question remains whether Mantova can leverage their home advantage to break that trend or if Pisa will rediscover the form that saw them comfortably defeat Juve Stabia earlier this month.