Cesena are set to host Palermo at the Stadio Dino Manuzzi in Serie A on Sunday afternoon.
Both sides were promoted to Serie A at the end of last season, however it’s safe to say that they’re living in a tale of two promotees. The Cavallucci Marini – currently in 19th – are battling for their top-flight status, as they sit four points off Atalanta in 17th. On the other hand, Palermo are hovering near mid-table, sitting in 11th.
Cesena however have seen their form drastically improve in the past six games – winning three times, one of them coming against Udinese on Sunday. On the other hand, Palermo have seen a relative drop in form. The Rosanero had a nine game unbeaten run that extended to just after Christmas, but they have now won only twice in their last six games, succumbing to a humbling 3-0 defeat at the hands of Inter, and a 2-1 loss to Lazio.
Despite Palermo being the side with the upper hand heading into the game due to their place in the table, recent games between both sides have seen three draws, with Palermo winning twice and Cesena emerging victorious once. Recent matches have also been hot-headed affairs, with four out of six games seeing red cards.
The fixture earlier this season at the Stadio Renzo Barbera in October epitomised the encounter, with Palermo leaving it until the 91st minute to grab a winner through Giancarlo Rodriguez.
Domenico Di Carlo enters the game with a myriad absences. Ze Eduardo, Luca Valzania, Andrea Tabanelli, Guido Marilngo, and Riccardo Cazzola will all miss the game due to injury whilst Daniele Capelli is suspended.
On the other hand, Giuseppe Iachini will miss the services of Achraf Lazaar, Michel Morganella, Francesco Bolzoni and the hero of the first fixture Giancarlo Gonzalez due to injury, whilst Andrea Rispoli is suspended.
Form Guide: Cesena: (W-W-L-D-L-W) Palermo (D-W-L-W-L-D)
Expected Starting XIs
Cesena (4-3-1-2): Leali; Perico, Krajnc, Lucchini, Renzetti; Giorgi, Mundigayi, De Feudis; Brienza, Defrel, Djuric.
Palermo (4-3-2-1): Sorrentino; Vitiello, Terzi, Andelkovic, Daprela; Rigoni, Maresca, Barreto; Quaison, Vazquez; Dybala.
