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Serie A: Genoa vs. Cagliari: Genoa and Cagliari, who were both promoted together the previous season, will square off on Monday at Stadio Luigi Ferraris in an attempt to clinch a spot in Serie A.
In a matchup of the Rossoblu, the host team, who has all but assured their safety, takes on Cagliari, whose recent success has propelled them out of the drop zone.
With five games remaining, Genoa is now in 12th place in the Serie A rankings. Their successful return to the top flight may already be deemed a success; only an extremely unfortunate turn of circumstances would see them escape relegation.
Rather, Alberto Gilardino’s team wants to close up its return campaign with a flourish, albeit their hopes of finishing in the top 10 have likely been dashed by recent outcomes.
After losing to Lazio last week, who eliminated them from the Coppa Italia earlier in the season, they have only gained six points from their previous six games.
Though Genoa has occasionally threatened the top teams—beating Roma and tying with Napoli, Inter Milan, and Juventus—their victories have primarily come at the expense of teams that are positioned nearby in the standings.
The Grifone have won the most points in encounters so far (25) between teams who are now outside of the top 11 in Serie A; Monday’s visitors are doing well in that aspect as well, as five of Cagliari’s seven victories have come against such opponents.
Prior to their clash at Marassi, Genoa had defeated the Sardinians 1-0 at home in their last three top-tier encounters; however, they were defeated 2-1 in the rematch in November.
Their recent history will be against Cagliari winning their final April matchup, as they have only kept one clean sheet in their last 20 Serie A games against Genoa and have failed to score in four of their last six.
But despite all the odds, Claudio Ranieri’s team has started a fantastic run of form, and as the finish line draws near, they have survival very much in hand.
After defeating Atalanta BC 2-1 a week prior, the Sardinian team held strong against Inter Milan. Last time out, they came dangerously close to shocking Juventus, as a valiant late comeback from their guests kept them from taking all three points.
Yerry Mina and Gianluca Gaetano’s converted penalties had put Cagliari ahead, but they were unable to hold on. Despite this, a 2-2 draw kept them four points above the relegation zone and in 14th place in the table.
Now that they are unbeaten in four games, the Isolani head to the mainland, where they have only won one of their last 16 away games since being promoted. Only Frosinone and Salernitana have gained fewer points away from home, so an Isolani victory at Marassi would come as a bit of a surprise.
Genoa Serie A form:
L D D W D L
Cagliari Serie A form:
W L D W D D
Vitinha, who has been out with a leg injury, will be available for Genoa on Monday. However, long-term absentees Alan Matturro, Mattia Bani, and Junior Messias will not be.
Caleb Ekuban has replaced Italy striker Mateo Retegui up front, so although he has previously played in a deeper role, highly-rated attacker Albert Gudmundsson will undoubtedly start in the final third.
The latter has 13 Serie A goals this season, including one against Cagliari in the rematch, although the visitors also pose a serious threat.
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Supersub Nicolas Viola, who rarely starts, has directly contributed to three goals in his previous two top-flight games against Genoa. He scored one of his league-high five goals against the Grifone back in November while playing as a replacement.
Given Zito Luvumbo’s ban and the absence of fellow strikers Andrea Petagna, Marco Mancosu, and Leonardo Pavoletti due to injuries, Viola has a good chance of playing.
Claudio Ranieri, the Cagliari coach, will probably partner Eldor Shomurodov in attack with either Gianluca Gaetano or Gianluca Lapadula.
Genoa possible starting lineup:
Martinez; Vogliacco, De Winter, Vasquez; Sabelli, Frendrup, Badelj, Martin; Gudmundsson; Ekuban, Retegui
Cagliari possible starting lineup:
Scuffet; Hatzdiakos, Mina, Dossena; Nandez, Deiola, Makoumbou, Sulemana, Augello; Shomorudov, Lapadula
Our Prediction for this match: 1-1 draw or 2-1 won by genoa.
