Cagliari welcome high-flying Genoa to the Stadio Sant’Elia on Sunday evening as we head into week 11 of Serie A 2014/15.
Zdenek Zeman’s men sit in 16th place with nine points from their first ten outings while Gian Piero Gasperini’s side is currently sixth on the standings and level on points with Rafa Benitez’s Napoli.
The visitors come into the fixture on the back of three consecutive wins, including a shock 1-0 victory over champions Juventus at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris. They also remain unbeaten in five games, collecting 13 points out of a possible 15 since their 0-1 loss to Sampdoria in late September.
The home side, on the other hand, have failed to make an impression in front of their own fans, securing only two points from four games in Sardinia. Apart from their stunning victories at Inter and Empoli, Zeman has found it hard to convert attacking football into results as their league standing testifies.
However, history favours the Isolani as they managed to get the better of the Grifone on each of their previous three meetings at the Sant’Elia. But the hosts will have to make do without star man Victor Ibarbo and Lorenzo Crisetig, who are both suspended, while Sebastian Eriksson will miss out owing to an injury. Frontman Caio Rangel is also doubtful for the weekend encounter.
Armando Izzo and Nicolas Burdisso are both doubtful for the away side, while Tomas Rincon and Giannis Fetfatzidis are certain to play no part over the weekend.
The hosts will have to rely on their attacking instinct, but will have to be wary of the threat posed by their opponents, especially on the break. Alessandro Matri is enjoying a fine season so far with five goals from nine outings, so much so that rumours suggest there may be a return to AC Milan on the cards come January; while Mauricio Pinilla has three from seven. Diego Perotti’s form will be instrumental for the visitors in their pursuit of three points in alien territory.
Samuele Longo is expected to deputise for the suspended Ibarbo, but Cagliari will be hoping that Marco Sau finds his scoring boots in the absence of their talisman. Albin Ekdal will also be expected to play a crucial role for the Isolani come Sunday evening.
Expected Starting XIs
Cagliari: Cragno, Balzano, Rossettini, Capuano, Avelar, Cossu, Ekdal, Conti, Farias, Longo, Sau
Genoa: Perin, Roncaglia, De Maio, Marchese, Rosi, Greco, Bertolacci, Kucka, Antonini, Perotti, Matri
