Benevento, Italy (Interstat) — A pivotal Serie C clash is set for Thursday as Benevento hosts Catania at the Stadio Ciro Vigorito, with both clubs in strong form entering the final stretch of the season.

The visitors from Sicily arrive with significant momentum. Catania (13-5-8) is unbeaten in its last 10 league matches, a run stretching back to early December. Its most recent outing was a scoreless draw at Salernitana on March 1, preceded by consecutive wins over Giugliano (1-0) and Trapani (4-0). The Rossazzurri have been particularly stout defensively, conceding only four goals during this ten-game streak.

Benevento (14-7-5), however, presents the sternest test of that record. The Giallorossi are also in fine fettle, losing just once in their last 11 contests across all competitions. They come off a 1-0 road victory at Potenza Calcio on March 1 and have won three of their last four, including a 3-2 thriller against Siracusa in late January. The home side has shown a potent attack, scoring three or more goals in four of its last ten matches.

Recent history favors Catania, which earned a 1-0 victory in the season’s first meeting on Oct. 26. That result snapped a three-match unbeaten run for Benevento in the head-to-head series.

The match carries heavy implications for the promotion playoff picture in Serie C Group C. Benevento, currently third, seeks to solidify its standing and avenge October’s loss. Catania, sitting fifth, aims to close the gap and extend its remarkable unbeaten run against a direct rival.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, the contest is projected to end in a 1-1 draw.

Kickoff is scheduled for 8:45 p.m. local time (1945 GMT).