Preview: Mantova Hosts Empoli FC in Serie B Clash

ROME (Interstat) — Two Italian Serie B sides trending in opposite directions will meet Sunday when Mantova hosts Empoli FC at Stadio Danilo Martelli.

The match, scheduled for Dec. 21, 2025, pits a struggling Empoli side against a Mantova team looking to build momentum at home. A statistical projection from Interstat forecasts a 2-1 victory for the hosts.

Empoli (6-5-5) arrives burdened by a two-match losing streak. Most recently, they fell 2-0 on the road to Juve Stabia on Dec. 13. That defeat followed a 3-1 home loss to Palermo on Dec. 7. The skid marks a stark contrast to late November form, which included a dominant 5-0 win over Bari and a 3-0 victory at Avellino. Consistency has been elusive for the visitors.

Mantova (5-3-8) also seeks to rebound from a loss, a 3-2 defeat at Cesena on Dec. 13. Their form has been volatile, mixing impressive results like a 4-1 thrashing of Spezia and a 1-0 win at Sampdoria with heavy defeats, including a 3-0 loss to Venezia and a 5-1 rout by Frosinone’s under-20 side earlier in the season. Their home record is a modest 3-2-3.

The matchup presents a classic contrast. Empoli will aim to rediscover its attacking prowess shown in the 5-0 win over Bari, while Mantova will rely on a home-field advantage where they have secured 11 of their 18 total points this campaign.

Key for Empoli will be stopping a slide before a quick turnaround; they host Frosinone on Dec. 27. Mantova, which travels to Carrarese on Dec. 27, sees this as a prime opportunity to climb the table against a reeling opponent.

The statistical model favors Mantova’s momentum at home over Empoli’s recent woes, setting the stage for a pivotal Serie B encounter as the calendar year concludes.