With just three points separating Genoa and Monza from the top 10 of Serie A after 27 matchdays, both teams will be desperate for a win in this crucial clash. Genoa suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat to league leaders Inter Milan on Monday, despite a valiant effort. It was only their second loss in 12 games (4 wins, 6 draws), and having only once suffered two consecutive league defeats this season, there is no need for them to panic about relegation just yet.
Having lost the reverse fixture against Monza 1-0, Genoa will be looking to get revenge at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris. They have only lost one of their last ten home games (5 wins, 4 draws), with only Atalanta scoring multiple goals against them during that period. Alberto Gilardino’s men should therefore be confident of getting a result in what is the first ever top-flight meeting between the two teams on Genoa’s turf.
It has been over 15 years since these two teams last met in a competitive fixture here, and this Monza side are likely to pose a significant threat, despite seeing their five-match unbeaten run (3 wins, 2 draws) come to an end with a 4-1 defeat to Roma last weekend. The Biancorossi will be keen to open the scoring early, as their last five goals have all been scored after the 75th minute, including their winning goal against Genoa in December!
That said, a goal at any time would be welcome for the travelling fans, who have seen their team fail to score in four of their last six away games (2 wins, 2 draws, 2 defeats). The only exceptions have been in victories, however, and after Monza’s 2-0 win at Salernitana in their last away game, Raffaele Palladino’s men will be looking to make it back-to-back away wins for the first time this season.
Players to watch: Albert Guðmundsson has opened the scoring for Genoa in seven of the last eight league games in which he has found the net. Matteo Pessina could have an impact later in the game, as six of his last eight Serie A goals have been scored after the hour mark. That includes Monza’s last away goal.
Hot stat: There have been exactly two first-half goals in five of Monza’s last nine games, and also in Genoa’s last two Serie A matches.
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