Serie A newcomers Pisa are in action for the first time in the 2025-26 campaign when they take on Cesena in the Coppa Italia first round at the Stadio Dino Manuzzi on Saturday.
Alberto Gilardino’s men went unbeaten in the two meetings between the two teams in the Serie B last season, and Football Whispers examines the odds of both sides coming out on top.
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Cesena vs Pisa prediction: Pisa to show their strength
Key stats
- There have been fewer than three goals scored in four of the previous five meetings between Cesena and Pisa, with a combined 10 goals scored across the five games.
- Pisa have lost just one of their most recent six competitive matches while picking up four wins and one draw since April 12.
- Cesena are unbeaten in seven of their nine home games in 2025, claiming two wins and five draws since the turn of the year.
- Pisa have led at half time in five of their last seven games while also netting the opening goal in six of the seven games since May’s 3-3 stalemate against Sudtirol.
Correct score prediction: Cessna 1-2 Pisa
Pisa will look to kick off their season on a positive note and gather momentum ahead of their highly anticipated first Serie A outing in over 30 years.
Gilardino’s side have strengthened in pre-season, bringing in the much-needed experienced hands, and we fancy them to see off a Cesena side who have won just two of their last 10 games.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Pisa backed to come out on top
- HOME: 15/8 (2.88) – 34.8%
- DRAW: 11/5 (3.20) – 31.3%
- AWAY: 6/4 (2.50) – 40%
*Odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Pisa failed to taste victory in their final three pre-season games, but the bookmakers have them down as slight favourites to get the job done this weekend.
While Cessna have a 34.8% chance of emerging victorious in normal time, Pisa are slightly favoured, with a 40% win probability.
Cesena capped off a solid pre-season campaign with a 2-1 victory over Mantova in their final warm-up game on August 2 ahead of their 2025-26 Serie B opener.
As for Pisa, they let their lead slip away for the second consecutive game as they were held to a 1-1 stalemate by German outfit Augsburg in their last pre-season outing on Thursday.
For more from the upcoming fixtures, you can take a look at Football Whispers’ best picks and predictions for this weekend’s fixtures in today’s free football betting tips.
Most recent H2Hs: Pisa out to extend their run
After losing each of the first three meetings between the two teams, Pisa have gone unbeaten in their most recent two encounters, picking up one win and one draw leading up to Sunday’s clash.
Their last meeting came in February, when Antonino La Gumina netted in the 79th minute to cancel out Idrissa Toure’s first-half strike and hand Cesena a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Dino Manuzzi.
Italy Serie B 16/02/25
Cesena
Pisa
Italy Serie B 05/10/24
Pisa
Cesena
Coppa Italia 25/09/24
Pisa
Cesena
Italy Serie B 08/04/17
Pisa
Cesena
Italy Serie B 13/11/16
Cesena
Pisa
Cesena Preview: Looking to keep the juggernaut rolling
With their Serie B opener against Pescara on the horizon, Cesena will be looking to continue from where they dropped off in pre-season and gather momentum ahead of their push for promotion.
Michele Mignani’s men went unbeaten in their three pre-season matches, picking up victories over Sampierana and Mantova, with a 1-1 draw against Forli on July 26 sandwiched between the two victories.
Cesena enjoyed a solid 2024-25 campaign as they finished seventh in the Serie B standings with 53 points from 38 games to secure a spot in the promotion playoff.
However, their playoff race came to an end in the quarter-finals as they fell to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Catanzaro courtesy of a second-half effort from Pietro Iemmello.
Predicted lineup: Klinsmann (GK), Ciofi, Piacentini, Mangraviti, Adamo, Bisoli, Berti, Bastoni, Frabotta, Diao & Shpendi
Italy Serie B 13/05/25
W
Modena
0
Cesena
1
Italy Serie B 09/05/25
W
Cosenza
0
Cesena
1
Italy Serie B 04/05/25
W
Palermo
1
Cesena
2
Italy Serie B 01/05/25
L
Mantova
3
Cesena
0
Italy Serie B 25/04/25
L
Sassuolo
2
Cesena
0
Pisa preview: Juan Cuadrado to make debut
Having failed promotion to the Serie A, Pisa have gone into the market in search of experience and leaders ahead of their journey in the big leagues.
Along with the surprise signing of former Juventus forward Juan Cuadrado, Pisa have brought in M'Bala Nzola from Fiorentina and Swiss international Michel Aebischer from Bologna.
Gilardino’s side ended their 34-year absence from the Italian top flight last season, when they clinched promotion from the Serie B after finishing runners-up in the standings.
Pisa picked up 76 points from their 38 league matches, six points off champions Sassuolo and 10 above third-placed Spezia outside the automatic promotion places.
Pisa head into Sunday’s clash off the back of a solid pre-season campaign, picking up three wins and two draws while scoring 12 goals and conceding eight in that time.
Their only defeat came at the hands of Bayer Leverkusen on August 5, when the German powerhouse stormed to a 3-0 victory at the BayArena.
Predicted lineup: Nicolas (GK), Calabresi, Caracciolo, Canestrelli, Cuadrado, Aebischer, Marin, Akinsanmiro, Angori, Tramoni & Nzola
Italy Serie B 13/05/25
W
Cremonese
1
Pisa
2
Italy Serie B 09/05/25
D
Sudtirol
3
Pisa
3
Italy Serie B 04/05/25
L
Bari
1
Pisa
0
Italy Serie B 01/05/25
W
Frosinone
0
Pisa
1
Italy Serie B 25/04/25
W
Brescia
1
Pisa
2
Player to watch – Matteo Tramoni
Tramoni was a key figure in Pisa’s promotion to the Serie A last season and the French forward will be one to keep an eye out for at the Stadio Dino Manuzzi.
Having netted eight goals in the previous two campaigns, Tramoni enjoyed a personal best league record for the visitors last term, racking up 13 goals to finish first in the Golden Boot Race.
While the 25-year-old featured in just three pre-season matches, he made his mark in the 2-2 draw against Augsburg in the penultimate warm-up game on August 8, when he netted both goals at the Paul-Renz-Sportanlage.
Tramoni featured in 25 Serie B matches last season (23 starts) and should spearhead the Pisa's attack once again, teaming up with summer recruit Nzola.