Seeking just their second league win at Stadio Ferraris this season, mid-table Genoa play host to Serie A strugglers Monza on Monday.
While the Grifone finally tasted home success earlier this month, taking them further away from danger, their visitors are still stuck to the foot of the standings.
Match preview
© Imago
With Patrick Vieira's influence helping to propel Genoa up the table, they have lost just two of their last 11 league matches - most recently suffering a 3-1 away defeat to Roma.
There was a moment to remember for rookie midfielder Patrizio Masini, who scored his first Serie A goal to level matters at Stadio Olimpico, but the Grifone conceded twice during the second half and left the capital empty-handed.
Although Vieira has made quite an impact, after stepping into the dugout following Genoa's dismal start to the season, it took some time to produce a first home victory, which his team finally achieved against Parma in their most recent match at Marassi.
Having previously recorded six draws and four defeats, that came as some relief to fans of the Rossoblu, who have experienced few highs and several lows over the past few years.
Now, Genoa face Serie A's last-placed club, who they beat 1-0 in Monza earlier this season, thanks to a goal from top scorer Andrea Pinamonti.
To date, the Grifone have lost just one of 21 league matches against Monza at Marassi, winning on 16 occasions; the sole defeat came last March, with Daniel Maldini scoring the decider in a 3-2 away victory.
© Imago
Maldini was on target again last week, when he produced Monza's early opener at Stadio Dall'Ara, but the Brianzoli then shipped two goals before half time, and another after the interval.
Losing 3-1 to Bologna left them seven points adrift of safety, as an abject campaign continued - in both of their previous top-flight seasons, they finished comfortably in mid-table.
While they have now scored in nine straight Serie A games for the first time ever, Monza have also failed to keep a clean sheet on each occasion; like predecessor Alessandro Nesta, new coach Salvatore Bocchetti has been unable to get the balance quite right.
Short of senior experience, ex-Genoa defender Bocchetti has been left with the task of engineering an unlikely escape from relegation, but his team must start trimming their deficit sooner rather than later.
Before heading to Liguria, the Biancorossi have lost their last three away fixtures, while their only win on the road this term came back in October.
Team News
© Imago
A handful of returns has shortened Genoa's long absence list, as Portuguese forward Vitinha and captain Milan Badelj are both back in training and could make the bench, while Brooke Norton-Cuffy and Caleb Ekuban are also available.
Mattia Bani may be missing, though, after limping out of the recent loss to Roma, so Stefano Sabelli could come in at right-back, with Koni De Winter shifting across to the centre.
In the hosts' engine room, Patrizio Masini is set to partner Morten Frendrup, who is the midfielder with most tackles (71) across Europe's top five leagues this season.
West Ham United winger Maxwel Cornet has joined on loan and may also be involved, while Monza's main moves in the market have been acquiring Stefan Lekovic from Red Star Belgrade and selling Milan Djuric to Parma.
Without the latter, Daniel Maldini and Gianluca Caprari should lead their attack, as Dany Mota is still struggling with a foot injury.
Matteo Pessina, Roberto Gagliardini, Samuele Birindelli and Luca Caldirola are all ruled out, in addition to influential defender Pablo Mari, who has been the subject of interest from Fiorentina, now managed by ex-Monza boss Raffaele Palladino.
In better news for current coach Salvatore Bocchetti, wing-back Pedro Pereira returns after serving a one-match suspension.
Genoa possible starting lineup:
Leali; Sabelli, De Winter, Vasquez, Martin; Frendrup, Masini; Zanoli, Thorsby, Miretti; Pinamonti
Monza possible starting lineup:
Turati; D'Ambrosio, Izzo, Carboni, Kyriakopoulos; Ciurria, Bianco, Bondo, Akpa Akpro; Caprari, Maldini
We say: Genoa 1-0 Monza
Genoa have kept six clean sheets in their last 11 league games, so an ailing Monza side may not break through the Rossoblu's back line.
Depleted by injuries and low on confidence, the Brianzoli are set for another away defeat.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Jonathan O'Shea
