Genoa vs Sampdoria

Genoa and Sampdoria meet in another installment of the Genoa derby at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris at Marassi. With Genoa having spent a good part of the decade in Serie B, this match up has not been a prevalent making it all the more special this time around. The two sides are coming off of positive results in week 22.

Il grifone find themselves in 9^th place of Serie A with 29 points on the present campaign. They sit 1 point back of 8^th place Atalanta Bergamo and 1 point ahead of 10^th place Palermo. They are coming off of a 1-1 draw away to Livorno a week ago at the Stadio Armando Picchi. They are unbeaten over their last two matches. There are some important absences this week for manager Gasperini with Wilson out injured while Sculli and Santos are both suspended. Gasperini was having trouble finding a replacement for Sculli upfront to go along with Leon so he has finally decided on switching his formation this week to a 3-4-3 with Leon, Borriello, and Rossi featuring in a 3 man attack. The good news is that starting keeper Rubinho will be able to start despite a scare earlier in the week because of injury.

Sampdoria held serve at home last week with a 2-0 victory over Napoli. The win leaves them in 7^th place with 31 points, 2 back of 6^th place Udinese and 1 ahead of 8^th place Atalanta. They are playing very well of late and have posted 3 wins and 1 draw over their last 5 matches while conceding just 2 goals over their last 4 games. The injured list remains virtually unchanged this week with Montella and Sammarco out while Gastaldello is suspended. This will allow manager Mazzari to go with a 3-5-2 that will be very close to his ideal starting eleven with both Bellucci and Antonio Cassano in attack.

While the blucerchiati have lost 8 of 11 road matches this season, this is no ordinary day away from home. A derby is always something special and with both sides separated by only 2 points in the league table expect this match to be very close and hard fought.

Prediction: Draw (0-0)

Sampdoria vs Napoli

Sampdoria are home to take on Napoli in their week 22 match at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris at Marassi. The blucerchiati will be looking to bounce back from a loss away from home last week while Napoli will be trying to build off of their impressive win against Udinese. The injury bug has hit Napoli this week as they are expected to miss up to 6 starting players.

Samp are currently in 8^th place of the Serie A table with 28 points. They sit 1 point back of 7^th place Atalanta and just ahead of 9^th place Palermo. They were away to SS Lazio last week at the Stadio Olimpico and fell by a score of 2-1. Despite the loss, Sampdoria have still been playing better overall football lately as evidenced by the fact that they had conceded just 2 goals over their prior 4 games. Now they return home where they have lost just once this season in 10 matches with 6 wins and 3 draws. The list of injured players remains the same with Montella, Sammarco and Volpi still out. Manager Mazzarri is set to go with a 3-5-2 featuring the club’s leading goal scorer Bellucci, with 9 goals, starting alongside Antonio Cassano.

Napoli picked up a big victory at home last week when they held serve over Udinese by a score of 3-1 at the Stadio San Paolo. The win snapped a 4 match winless run for Reja’s side which saw them pick up just 2 points over that stretch. With the win over Udinese the partenopei are now in 11^th place of the league table with 27 points. They are 1 point behind 10^th place Genoa and 4 points ahead of 12^th place Catania. This week Napoli will be at quiet a disadvantage given that 6 starting players will be out of action due to injury and suspension. The players out injured are Domizzi, Garcis, Iezzo, Savini and Cupi while Cannavaro is out suspended. This will force Reja to go with a completely revised 3 man back line of Grava, Contini and Santacroce. As if the injury situation were not bad enough, Napoli have managed just 1 win away from home this season.

Given how depleted Napoli will be in this match the edge goes to Sampdoria in this contest. When you factor in that Napoli have won just one match away from home all season in 10 tries, Sampdoria are an even bigger favorite.

Prediction: Sampdoria (2-1)

Lazio vs Sampdoria

SS Lazio are home to Sampdoria at the Stadio Olimpico as they look to build off of the modest success they enjoyed in their draw away to Torino of a week ago in order to snap their current winless run. Meanwhile, Sampdoria are a victory and some help away from finding themselves in the upper third of the Serie A table.

The biancocelesti are currently in 14^th place of the league table with 20 points on the present campaign. The 20 points position them 1 point back of Livorno and 1 point ahead of 15^th place Parma. The side managed by Delio Rossi have been the model of inconsistency this season and wins have been very hard to come by. They have not won in their last 5 matches; instead they have posted 3 draws to go along with 2 losses at home. There is some slight optimism however as they were able to pick up back to back draws away from home against Napoli and Torino. There are a number of injury concerns this week including Meghni, Firmani, Zauri and Mutarelli with Kolarov and Bianchi out suspended. Dabo looks set to cover the left wing for Mutarelli with Rocchi and top scorer Goran Pandev upfront.

The blucerchiati are in 7^th place of the Serie A table with 28 points, 2 back of 6^th place AC Milan. They are coming off of a 1-0 win at home over Siena at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris which extended their current win streak to 3 matches. They have not conceded a goal over those 3 games which includes a 0-0 draw away to Juventus. The injured list this week includes Lucchini, Kalu, Montella and Sammarco. Manager Mazzarri looks set to go with a 3-5-2 formation featuring top scorer Bellucci in attack alongside Antonio Cassano.

While Lazio have not exactly been dominant at home with just 3 wins from 10 home matches this year to go along with 2 draws and 5 losses, Sampdoria tend to struggle away from home. In fact, they have lost 7 of 10 road matches with one draw. Still, their current form and more importantly the strength the back line has been show in posting 3 straight clean sheets tends to signal a good performance. Look for Samp to hold out for at least 1 point.

Prediction: Draw (0-0)

Sampdoria vs Siena

Sampdoria return home to host Siena with a chance to move into the European Cup qualifying zone with a victory. They will be taking on a Siena outfit who while having won just 3 matches all season, have pulled off two of those victories away from home.

The side managed by Mazzari are currently in 7^th place of the Serie A table with 25 points for the year. They are just behind 6^th place Atalanta Bergamo on goal difference. They came up with a very positive result last week as they were able to hold out for a 0-0 draw away to Juventus at the Stadio Olimpico di Torino. It was Samp’s first draw away from home this season. The gs turned sour later in the week when they were held to a 1-1 draw at home in the first leg of the Coppa Italia quarter finals by Roma. The injury list for this week’s match consists of Kalu, Montella and Sammarco, while Campagnaro is out suspended. Mazzari looks set to go with the regular 3-5-2 formation featuring Bellucci and Antonio Cassano in attack. Bellucci paces the club with 9 goals.

Siena are 17^th in Serie A with 17 points, just ahead of 18^th place Reggina on goal difference. Given their delicate league position with respect to the relegation zone, every point is crucial from here on in. They are coming off of a 2-3 victory away to Palermo at the Renzo Barbera in their last match. It was a huge victory for Siena as it was the first of two straight road fixtures. Things don’t get any easier this week away to Sampdoria but morale at the club will certainly be much higher following that last match. Manager Beretta received some good news this week as it was confirmed that left side fullback De Ceglie has been cleared to play and will start. Bertotto, Grimi and De Lazzari make up the list of players not available due to injury. Maccarone is the club leader in scoring with 6 goals and is a confirmed starter in attack along with Frick.

On paper Sampdoria would be sure favorites to get the 3 points. However, Siena are coming off of a big victory on the road and are starved for points given their bottom of the table position so nothing will come easy for Samp in this match. In addition, Sampdoria have won just 1 of their last 5 matches and have hardly looked like world beaters. Livorno have more than a fair chance to hold out for a point.

Prediction: draw (1-1)

Juventus vs Sampdoria

Juventus return home to the Stadio Olimpico di Torino to host Sampdoria needing to win to keep pace with both Roma and Inter Milan at the top of the Serie A table. They will host a Sampdoria outfit who have been fairly consistent this season but not too impressive when playing away from home.

Claudio Ranieri’s club are currently in 3^rd place of the Serie A table with 36 points on the season. They are 3 points back of 2^nd place Roma and 10 points back of Inter Milan while holding a 4 point edge on Udinese. They had two matches over the last week, first drawing away to Catania, 1-1, in their last league match and then defeating Empoli 5-3 midweek to advance in the Coppa Italia. David Trezeguet continues to pace the club with 13 goals scored. The vecchia signora are on a very strong run at this time which has seen them go 9 matches without a loss thanks to a superb defensive record evidenced by the 3 goals they have conceded over their last 6 games. There is some good news this week on the injury front with Italy international Mauro German Camoranesi finally resuming training. Meanwhile, Grygera will replace the injured Chiellini in the back line while Birindelli spells Zebina.

Sampdoria are just outside the UEFA Cup zone of the Serie A table with 24 points. They sit one point back of Palermo and 1 point ahead of Napoli in 7^th place. Manager Mazzari’s side are coming off of a strong performance last week which saw them run out deserved winners over Palermo by a score of 3-0 at the Luigi Ferraris. Things are so good at Marassi these days that even Antonio Cassano of all people indicated a change of heart and he is now willing to stay at the club. Unfortunately for Cassano, a muscle problem will keep him out of the match at Juve with Bonazzoli and Bellucci starting in attack. Montella and Kalu are also out this week.

While Samp are certainly capable of giving any Serie A side a good fight, their road record leaves a lot to be desired having lost 7 of 9 matches. Juventus are playing confident football and the 5 goals against Empoli confirmed that they can score in high numbers when needed. Look for Juve to get the job done at home this week.

Prediction: Juve (2-0)

AS Roma vs Sampdoria

It has been a rough week for AS Roma in the lead up to this match at home to Sampdoria at the Stadio Olimpico. After learning that start Francesco Totti would continue to miss time they went winless in two matches over a 5 day span against Torino. They continue to sit in second place behind Inter Milan but the gap has now reached 7 points. Sampdoria visit Roma for the derby of the south having lost 2 of their last 5 matches while winning once and drawing the other.

The side managed by Luciano Spalletti are at 33 points for the year from 16 matches. After a disappointing 0-0 draw away to Torino in their last Serie A match they proceeded to lose 3-1 in the first leg of the Coppa Italia to the very same Toro. The news is slightly better this week on the injury front as it appears that Totti is finally ready to return. However, Taddei is still not available while Chilean midfielder Pizarro is now doubtful. Therefore, Spalletti could decide to keep the 4-2-3-1 formation but this time with Totti as the lone striker with Tonetto, Perrotta and Mancini as the 3 attacking midfielders. In addition, Mexes of France is out suspended.

Sampdoria were held to a disappointing 2-2 draw at home by Fiorentina in week 16. With that draw Sampdoria are in 9^th place with 21 points on the season just behind 8^th place Atalanta on goal difference. Despite the poor result things have been improving for the blucerchiati. In terms of injuries Sammarco looks set to return to action but is likely to start on the bench with Franceschini getting another start. Delvecchio, Sala and Montella are out while top striker Cassano must sit out suspended. The injury to Sala will have Gastaldello taking the spot in the center of the 3 man back line as Sampdoria go with a 3-4-2-1 featuring Bonazzoli.

While on paper Roma are without question the stronger side, this match is a derby and Sampdoria will come ready to play. There is also no telling how fit Totti will be and that could also play into Sampdoria’s favor. Still, despite the bleak scenario, the giallorossi should be able to break down the Samp defense and pick up the 3 points. This is especially true since the visitors will be without Cassano in attack, and Sala at the back.

Prediction: Roma (2-1)

Sampdoria vs Fiorentina

Sampdoria return home to host Fiorentina looking to continue their recent success at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris. In fact, the side managed by Walter Mazzari have posted back to back 3-0 victories at home in their last 2 matches over Empoli and Reggina respectively. The Viola come into this match on a 4 match winless run, 5 if you count their last match which was a 1-1 draw away to Ascoli in the Coppa Italia.

The blucerchiati currently sit in 9^th place of Serie A with 20 points, 1 back of 8^th place Palermo.They have been quite Jekyll & Hyde like when it comes to playing at home or away. They lost 2 matches on the road over a 4 day period this week, first 3-2 away to Udinese at the Stadio Friuli and then dropped their Coppa Italia match away to Cagliari at the Sant’Elia.There are a couple of injury concerns this week for Mazzari as Montella and Delvecchio remain out. Samp will also be without the suspended Sammarco. Franceschini looks set to come on for Sammarco in a 3-4-2-1 scheme with Antonio Cassano as the lone striker and Bellucci playing to the left of Franceschini.

Cesare Prandelli has got his own problems in terms of injury concerns. Just when it appeared that things were getting back to normal with the return of Adrian Mutu, Fiorentina have now lost keeper Sebastian Frey until at least January as he underwent minor surgery this week. This means Lupatelli will be the man in goal at Marassi. The Viola’s 4 match winless run in Serie A has seen them drop back to 5^th place with 24 points, 4 back of Udinese. Their last win came back on the 3^rd of November when they won away to Lazio. Aside from Frey the only other injury concern is defender Gamberini so Dainelli and Kroldrup will be the center back combo with the returning Ujfalusi at the right fullback position. They will need to be extremely concentrated so as to help out Lupatelli in goal.

It’s interesting that despite not having Frey in goal, Prandelli will stick with a 4-3-3 set as both Mutu and Christian Vieri look set to start up front. This aggressiveness could come back to hurt Fiorentina if Sampdoria can maintain their recent positive form at home. This is especially true given the number of changes that Fiorentina have been forced to make at the back and in goal. Look for Samp to hold serve.

Prediction: Sampdoria 2-1.

Sampdoria vs Reggina

Sampdoria host Reggina in a battle of clubs struggling to find their best form. Sampdoria had much higher expectations at the beginning of the season but have had a hard time stringing victories together. Reggina are in the thick of the relegation battle and doing their best to hover above the bottom 3.

The blucerchiati are coming off of a disappointing loss away to 16^th place Livorno in their last match by a score of 3-1 at the Stadio Armando Picchi. The loss was step back for Mazzari’s side as they had bounced back nicely from the 0-5 humiliation at home to AC Milan to post back to back 3-0 wins over Cagliari and Empoli.They are now in tenth place of the league table with 17 points.

Renzo Ulivieri’s Reggina outfit were held to a 0-0 draw at home in their Round 13 match to Fiorentina at the Oreste Granillo. While a draw at home is not usually considered a positive result, given Reggina’s delicate situation in the Serie A table they will take whatever they can get. The draw extended their unbeaten run to 3 straight matches during which they have conceded just 1 goal. Reggina are now in 17^th place with 10 points.

Reggina have some positive news this week on the injury front. Club captain Ciccio Cozza is just about ready to return from injury and should be available off of the bench. The most important development, however, is the return of Lanzaro to the back line. This will allow Ulivieri to slot Aronica on the left, Uruguayan Carlos Valdez in the center, and Lanzaro on the right of a 3 man back line as Reggina switch back to their 3-5-2 set. Their top striker is Amoruso with 5 goals and he is a confirmed starter.

The Sampdoria injury situation is a bit more cluttered. For starters, both Montella and Delvecchio remain out. The good news is that Antonio Cassano has resumed training at full strength and could start on the bench. They look to keep their 3-4-2-1 with top goal scorer Bellucci starting just behind Caracciolo upfront.

Save for the debacle against AC Milan, Sampdoria have been fairly consistent at home with 3 victories and 2 draws in the remaining 5 matches. After losing away to Livorno last week they owe it to their supporters to come back with a strong performance. Livorno are winless in 6 road matches this season having picked up 4 draws and 2 losses along the way. Samp should find a way to get the job done this week.

 

Prediction: Samp hold serve at home 2-1

 

 

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