On Wednesday night Sampdoria welcome Hellas Verona to the Stadio Luigi Ferraris in Serie A, aiming to turnaround their recent poor form and maintain their grip on a Europa League place for next season.
However, with the Flying Donkeys top-flight status assured, Andrea Mandorlini and his men will travel to Genoa in high spirits looking to punish a Blucerchiati side seemingly unable to buy a win currently.
In December, though, it was very much Sinisa Mihajlovic’s side flying high, winning 3-1 at the Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi with goals from Eder, Stefano Okaka and Manolo Gabbiadini, Luca Toni briefly drawing the hosts level.
Since returning to Serie A in 2013 the Mastini have inflicted defeat on the Ligurians – a Toni double sealing victory in October that year – but since then Sampdoria have had the upper hand.
In the league meeting at the Marassi last term Sampdoria’s victory could not have been more comprehensive hitting five goals without reply, and also recorded a 4-1 win in the Coppa Italia.
However, at the moment, the Blucerchiati are struggling somewhat and were soundly beaten themselves on Sunday night 4-2 by a Napoli side ending the campaign strongly.
That loss ensured that Mihajlovic’s men have not won since late March – defeating Inter 1-0 at the Luigi Ferraris – and now have Fiorentina and neighbours Genoa looking to overtake them in the race for European qualification.
In contrast, after a difficult second season, Hellas Verona arrive after securing consecutive victories, albeit for the first time since September.
The Flying Donkeys will now are for a third Serie A win on the bounce after overcoming Fiorentina at the Artemio Franchi and Sassuolo in Verona on Sunday despite being down to 10 men.
As usual talismanic striker Toni has been leading the charge from the front, hitting his 16th and 17th goals of the season against the Neroverdi to become the club’s all-time Serie A marksman.
Sent off in the 17th minute against Sassuolo, the Mastini are definitely without first-choice goalkeeper Rafael and will be replaced by Francesco Benussi.
Also missing through suspension are Mounir Obbadi and Vangelis Moras, with Rafael Marques likely to come in for the latter at centre-back.
After a last minute goal in Naples, Luis Muriel should replace Eder – reportedly out for the remaining weeks with a knee injury – but otherwise Sampdoria remain unchanged.
Form Guide: Sampdoria (W-L-D-D-L), Hellas Verona (L-D-L-W-W)
Expected Starting XIs
Sampdoria: Viviano; De Silvestri, Romagnoli, Silvestre, Mesbah; Obiang, Palombo, Muriel, Eto’o, Soriano; Okaka
Hellas Verona: Benussi; Pisano, Marquez, Marques, Agostini; Greco, Tachtsidis, Gomez; Sala, Toni, Valoti
