Mantova vs Spezia Prediction

Right then, let's have a proper look at this bottom-of-the-table scrap in Serie B. Mantova versus Spezia - two sides who'd both rather be anywhere else than where they are right now!

Mantova are sitting 17th with just 11 points from 12 games, and frankly, their home form has been shocking. They're shipping goals like there's no tomorrow at their own patch - 2.4 per game on average! That 5-1 hammering by Frosinone and 3-1 defeat to Modena show just how vulnerable they are at the back. To be fair, they did nick a couple of 1-0 wins recently against Padova and Sampdoria, but let's not get carried away - those were against teams also struggling in the mire.

Spezia are even worse off in 18th with a measly 8 points. They've only managed one win all season, but blimey, what a win it was - 4-0 away at Avellino. That shows there's some fight in them yet. Their away form actually looks half-decent compared to their home shambles - 1.4 goals scored per game on their travels and only 1.2 conceded. Recent draws against Bari and Padova (both 1-1) suggest they're hard to beat away from home.

The head-to-head makes for interesting reading - both previous meetings ended in draws (2-2 and 1-1), with both teams getting on the scoresheet each time. That pattern could well continue given what we're seeing.

Both sides are defensively shambolic. Mantova have kept only 3 clean sheets in 10 games, while Spezia have managed just 1! When you look at the percentages, both teams have scored in 60-70% of their recent matches. With both needing points in this relegation dogfight, they'll likely go for it rather than sit back and settle for a point.

The stats point towards goals, and at 1.91 for both teams to score, that looks like the smart money in what should be a nervy but open affair.