PADOVA, Italy (Interstat) — Padova and Cesena meet Monday in a Serie B match with both sides looking to build on narrow weekend victories.

The Dec. 8 contest at Stadio Euganeo sees 14th-place Padova host 10th-place Cesena in a mid-table clash. The league’s official statistical partner, Interstat, projects a 1-1 draw.

Padova (4-6-4) enters on a positive note after a 1-0 road win at Pescara on Saturday. That result snapped a three-match winless streak in the league. Their form at home has been mixed, with two wins, two draws and two losses in their last six outings in Padova.

Cesena (5-5-4) also earned a 1-0 home victory in its last match, defeating Modena on Friday. That win helped steady the ship after a 1-0 loss at Monza on Nov. 23. Cesena’s road record this season shows one win, three draws and three defeats.

The visitors will aim to replicate their early-season resilience, evidenced by a 2-1 comeback win at Pisa in August. Padova will rely on momentum from its gritty performance against Pescara, where it secured three points despite being out-possessed.

Historically, this fixture has been closely contested. The teams last met in the 2023-24 Serie C season, with each winning their home match.

Following this contest, Padova faces a challenging trip to sixth-place Reggiana on Dec. 13. Cesena returns home to host Mantova on the same date.

Key players to watch include Padova’s top scorer, who netted the winner against Pescara, and Cesena’s midfield engine, instrumental in breaking down Modena. Both defenses, coming off clean sheets, will be tested.

Kickoff is scheduled for 8:45 p.m. local time (1945 GMT) at the 32,420-capacity Stadio Euganeo. The referee will be announced by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) 48 hours prior to the match.

With the Serie B table tightly packed from sixth to 16th place, a win for either side could propel them toward the promotion playoff conversation, while a loss could see them looking over their shoulders at the relegation zone.