Two teams stuttering in Serie A will do battle on Sunday afternoon, when Palermo host Torino at the Stadio Renzo Barbera.
The Rosanero currently sit 15th in the league table, while Torino occupy 12th. A mere two points separate the sides.
With one victory in their past five matches, the Sicilians find themselves only two points ahead of Sampdoria in 17th place and a loss this weekend could see them move within four points of the relegation zone.
However, coach Giovanni Tedesco will look to build on their hard-fought 2-2 draw with Sassuolo during their previous outing, in which they survived a late onslaught after being reduced to 10 men in the second half.
The Granata also find themselves in what seems like slight Serie A free-fall, having mustered only a single victory over their past 10 matches and are currently winless in five. Coach Giampiero Ventura had hoped that two consecutive draws had his side moving in the right direction but the team took a step back last weekend, suffering a 2-1 loss at home to Chievo.
This fixture has been tightly balanced since the 2003-2004 Serie B season. Torino has four victories to Palermo’s three, with a further six draws. This year’s reverse fixture saw Torino emerge 2-1 victors, despite finishing the match with nine men. Giancarlo Gonzalez cancelled out his own goal with one at the right end. Marco Benassi netted the match winner.
Palermo are facing one suspension this week, as Achraf Lazaar sits out for his dismissal last weekend. On the contrary, Torino are not faced any with disciplinary action.
Le Aquile must also make do without Aljaz Struna, Josip Posavec, Enzo Maresca and Norbert Balogh due to injury, whilst Il Toro’s treatment table is not as substantial with only Cesare Bovo and Afriyie Acquah missing out.
Form Guide: Palermo (L-W-D-L-D) Torino (D-L-D-D-L)
Expected Starting XIs:
Palermo: Sorrentino; Morganella, Goldaniga, Gonzalez, Rispoli; Hiljemark, Brugman, Chochev, Vazquez; Gilardino, Quaison
Torino: Padelli; Maksimovic, Glik, Moretti; Zappacosta, Benassi, Gazzi, Baselli, Bruno Peres; Belotti, Immobile
