Cesena kick off their title pursuit at the Orogel Stadium, while Sampdoria arrive desperate for points to climb out of the early relegation zone.
This fixture marks a significant turning point for Cesena as Alino Diamanti makes his league debut on the home bench. Despite a winless run of six matches in Serie B and a recent 3-0 defeat to Sassuolo in the Coppa Italia, 'I Bianconeri' enjoyed an immaculate pre-season with four wins. Currently sitting 3rd and firmly in the title race, the home side is expected to deploy an attacking 4-3-3 system to reignite their campaign.
Sampdoria travel to Cesena sitting 14th and inside the relegation zone. While they have struggled for consistency, they enter this clash in better recent form than the hosts, having picked up 14 points from their last 10 outings. However, a lack of clinical finishing has plagued them, with their last three league matches all finishing with under 2.5 goals.
How the public market prices this match, shown next to our model. For context only — it never changes a signal.
Elo is overall team strength. xG is the goals an average team would score from the same chances.
One strength number built from every result a team has had. Higher means stronger.
Sampdoria are the stronger side — 25 rating points clear of Cesena.
Per-game averages this season. Use the buttons to split the goals by venue.
Both teams across every game this season.
Whole season, home and away combined — Cesena 5 games, Sampdoria 5 games.
Serie B (Italy) standings · both teams highlighted in context.