Genoa will try to extend their unbeaten run to eight games as Gian Piero Gasperini’s men travel to the Stadio Dino Manuzzi on Sunday.
Cesena are winless in their last 11 and limp into Sunday’s fixture dead last in the form table. The Cavallucci Marini haven’t won since the opening day of the season, but fortunately for coach Pierpaolo Bisoli, the club are just two points below safety.
The club are in need of finding the back of the net as Cesena have only scored nine times in 12 games this term. Meanwhile, the defence is giving up more than a goal a game, although Cesena are coming off a hard fought draw with Sampdoria last weekend. That result was their fifth draw of the season, equal to Genoa.
Meanwhile, the Grifone are coming off a draw with Palermo in which the team started and stuttered their way to a point. One of the highlights of that match was the return of Giannis Fetfatzidis. The Greek had been out of action since being injured at the World Cup. The tricky winger looked rusty, but Fetfatzidis showed the potential of what supporters may soon see as the playmaker was paired with Diego Perotti. In addition, the club continues to see the rise of Andrea Bertolacci who scored the equaliser a week after being called up to the Azzurri.
Gasperini showed an ability to change on the fly as he changed his 3-4-3 formation to a 4-3-1-2 to counteract Palermo’s potent attack last weekend. Cesena shouldn’t offer the same promise in attack, but Genoa may play it safe away from home. However, injury and suspension may hurt Gasperini’s defensive selections.
Genoa should be without Sebastian De Maio and Tomas Rincon due to injury as neither are due to be back until mid-December. The team missed both players in their last match as Palermo cut through the team too easily at times. Meanwhile, Cesena may be without Guido Marilungo, though the team will re-evaluate him on Saturday.
With third place a possibility at the moment, Genoa must pick up points against the second to bottom team. Anything less than a win and Genoa may see third place slip away in a season that may be their best shot for some time to come.
Expected Starting XIs
Cesena (4-3-1-2): Leali; Giorgi; Volta; Kranjc; Mazzotta; Carbonero; Cascione; De Feudis; Brienza; Defrel; Almeida
Genoa (3-4-3): Perin; Burdisso; Marchese; Roncaglia; Antonelli; Kucka; Greco; Bertolacci; Perotti; Fetfatzidis; Pinilla
