Genoa host Sampdoria in the Derby della Lanterna on Tuesday night as the Serie A returns for 2016.
Both teams had impressive Serie A campaigns in 2014-15; the Rossoblu finishing sixth while the Blucerchiati finished in seventh and making it to the third round of Europa League albeit because their rivals had no UEFA licence.
This season has been a disappointment for the Genoese teams though. Genoa are 17th in Serie A with 16 points and they are two points above relegation whereas Sampdoria are 14th with 20 points after 17 rounds.
The Grifone have lost their last four Serie A matches while the Doriani ended 2015 with a win. Genoa’s 2-0 defeat against Roma piled more pressure on under fire coach Gian Piero Gasperini while Sampdoria won 2-0 against Palermo to give Vincenzo Montella his first win as Il Doria coach.
Sampdoria won the first Derby della Lanterna of last season 1-0 thanks to a goal from Manolo Gabbiadini; the return fixture ended in a 1-1 draw with Iago Falque scoring for the Rossoblu and Eder netting for Samp.
Genoa have not won the derby since Week three of the 2013-14 season, with goals from Luca Antonini, Emanuele Calaio and Francesco Lodi gave the Grifone a comprehensive 3-0 victory.
Former Inter midfielder Ricky Alvarez has been training with Sampdoria and he looks very likely to join the Blucerchiati but he won’t be ready for the Derby. Luca Rigoni has joined Genoa from Palermo on a free transfer and he is expected to play in the derby.
Genoa winger Diego Perotti is still out suspended for another two matches after he was sent-off against Bologna. Gasperini will also be missing Giovanni Marchese with a knee problem and Tino Costa with calf swelling.
Sampdoria are expected to be at full strength and Montella will be able to welcome Eder back into the Blucerchiati squad after missing the last two rounds with a thigh injury.
Form Guide: Genoa (W-L-L-L-L) Sampdoria (L-L-L-D-W)
Expected Starting XIs
Genoa: Perin; Izzo, De Maio, Burdisso, Ansaldi; Rincon, Tachtsidis, Rigoni; Gakpe, Pavoletti, Laxalt
Sampdoria: Viviano; De Silvestri, Moisander, Zukanovic, Regini; Ivan, Barreto, Soriano; Carbonero, Eder; Muriel
