Palermo v Sampdoria – Preview: Rosanero desperate for points against Blucerchiati

Date: 1st May 2016 at 12:08am
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Sampdoria Palermo SorianoPalermo welcome Sampdoria to the Stadio Renzo Barbera on Sunday afternoon in a Serie A clash between two of the league’s biggest underachievers this season.

The Rosanero are struggling to break free of the relegation zone, currently in 18th place with three matches left in the season, their crucial 2-0 win against Frosinone last weekend notwithstanding. This clash against Sampdoria is going to be a decisive turning point in their season.

The Blucerchiati, while sitting in the 14th spot in the league table, failed every objective they had for this year, falling short of qualification for next season’s Europa League and failing to present themselves as an organised, consistent team. However, Il Doria have been showing signs of improvement, as exemplified by their 2-1 victory against Lazio last weekend.

These two sides last met in late December, with Sampdoria on the winning end of a 2-0 result at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris. The Blucerchiati were able to secure the win thanks to goals from Roberto Soriano and Ivan David.

Sporticos

Come Sunday, only the former will be in the line-up for the match since David is still out for injury, together with teammates Carlos Carbonero, Jacopo Sala, Antonio Cassano and Niklas Moisander. Sampdoria coach Montella will therefore rely on Fabio Quagliarella as his sole striker, supported by attacking midfielders Soriano and Ricardo Alvarez.

On the opposite side, Palermo boss Davide Ballardini will try to secure a win of the utmost importance by lining up a very mobile offensive trio composed by Alberto Gilardino, Franco Vazquez and Gaston Brugman. The only absence expected in the Rosanero squad is that of Giancarlo Gonzalez, with the defender banned for the next match. As a consequence, Ballardini could present a three-men defensive line, formed by Sinisa Andelkovic, Edoardo Goldaniga and Aljaz Struna, or use just Andelkovic and Goldaniga as central defenders.

Form Guide: Palermo (L-L-L-D-W) Sampdoria (D-W-L-D-W)

Expected Starting XIs:

Palermo: Sorrentino; Rispoli, Goldaniga, Andelkovic; Lazaar, Hiljemark, Jajalo, Chochev, Vazquez; Brugman, Gilardino.

Sampdoria: Viviano; Diakite, Ranocchia, Cassani; De Silvestri, Fernando, Barreto, Dodo, Alvarez, Soriano; Quagliarella.

Infographic source: www.sporticos.com

 

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