Atalanta v Genoa – Preview: Grifone desperate to end painful run of form against La Dea

Published on: 09 January 2016

Atalanta host Genoa in Serie A on Sunday afternoon looking for a win that would push them towards the European places.

The Orobici sit in ninth spot going into the domestic encounter, though remain just two points ahead of 15th placed Bologna in a tightly packed mid-table.

The Grifone will have an extra day to recover after their derby defeat to Sampdoria on Tuesday evening, but they visit Bergamo sitting perilously close to the relegation zone, just one point ahead of Carpi.

La Dea have lost two of their last three home games, beating a struggling Palermo side in between. Genoa, meanwhile, are without an away win all season and have failed to claim even a draw in their last five outings.

Sunday will bring the 73rd meeting between the two, and the 65th in Serie A. While the Rossoblu hold a distinct advantage overall, Atalanta have had a slightly better record at home, winning 12 to their visitors’ nine.

However, one of those nine wins came last season, when Gian Piero Gasperini’s side came back from 1-0 down to thrash the Orobici 4-1, with Leonardo Pavoletti starring with two goals and an assist.

Pavoletti returned from suspension with a brace on Tuesday evening and will be looking to add to his season’s tally of seven, which is already his best Serie A total to date. Although, he will have to do so without the assistance of Diego Perotti, who will sit out the last game of his ban.

The Argentinian will be joined in the stands by Atalanta’s Carlos Carmona, who remains a long-term injury absentee, and Mauricio Pinilla, who should be in line for a return within the next week or so.

German Denis is likely to be Edy Reja’s choice to fill Pinilla’s spot. The veteran has been in and out of the side this season and has managed just three goals so far this campaign.

He has scored 55 Serie A goals for Atalanta to date and sits just two behind Adriano Bassetto for third place in the Orobici’s all-time top scorer list.

The last time Genoa suffered a five game losing run was in 2012, and it coincidentally ended with a win at Atalanta. However, on that occasion, it had already extended to six.

Form Guide:

Atalanta (W-W-L-L-L); Genoa (L-L-L-L-L)

Expected Starting XIs

Atalanta: Sportiello; Paletta, Toloi, Cherubin, Drame; Grassi, Brivio, Cigarini; D’Alessandro, Denis, Gomez.

Genoa: Perin; Izzo, De Maio, Burdisso, Ansaldi; Rincon, Rigoni, Ntcham; Gakpe, Pavoletti, Laxalt.

Infographics courtesy of https://sporticos.com

Source: forzaitalianfootball.com

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