Cagliari vs Genoa

Cagliari are home to Genoa needing to win in the worst way if they are ever to climb out if their relegation zone hole. Genoa camp up with a huge win at home last week and are now within striking distance of a UEFA Cup slot in the Serie A league table.

I Sardi are currently in last place of the league table with just 18 points for the season. Cagliari have won only 4 matches all season long and open up the month of March 3 points back of 19^th place Reggina. Their last match saw them fall on the road away to Siena by a score of 1-0 at the MPS Arena. Ballardini’s side have won just 1 of their last 5 matches to go with 2 draws and 2 losses. Given their delicate league position every match remaining at home is a final. The side from the Sant’Elia will be missing Koprivec, Ferri, Marchini and Biondini to injury against Genoa, while Agostini sits out suspended. Fini will replace Biondini on the right side of midfield in a 4-3-2-1 with the Argentine Larrivey as the lone striker.

Genoa have been very impressive of late and continued their recent positive stretch with a 2-0 victory at home to Napoli at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris at Marassi. The win gives il grifone 35 points for the year and leaves them in 8^th place of Serie A, just behind their rivals Sampdoria and 1 point ahead of 9^th place Atalanta. Their last 5 matches have seen them post 3 wins with 1 loss and 1 draw. This week manager Gasperini will be missing Wilson, Paro Bovo and Santos to injury, while Konko will sit out suspended. In the case of Paro he is expected to miss up to 5 months due to a ligament tear and is therefore finished for the season. With this being the club’s 3^rd match in 7 days look for top scorer Borriello- who currently leads Serie A with 16 goals- to sit out as Genoa employ the turnover. Argentine Figueroa will start upfront along with Leon and Di Vaio in a 3-4-3.

The pressure is on Cagliari as they are starved for points. They are 6 points back of 17^th place Catania which is the club they will need to catch in order to save themselves. They will be up against a Genoa outfit that have won more points away from home this season than Cagliari have at home. Despite Borriello starting on the bench Genoa still have enough firepower in Di Vaio and company to make some noise.

Prediction: Genoa (0-1)