Sampdoria v Palermo – Preview: Blucerchiati still looking for first win under new coach

Published on: 18 December 2015

Sampdoria host Palermo at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris on Sunday evening in Serie A, looking for the first win under Vincenzo Montella.

The former Roma coach earned his first point as coach of the Blucerchiati in their away game to Lazio last week, thanks to a last minute Ervin Zukanovic goal. Since taking over from Walter Zenga, the ex Fiorentina boss has lost three and drawn just one game, so will be wanting to go into the Christmas break in a happy mood and leap out of the relegation battle.

Davide Ballardini, on the other hand, has been in a similar position, having waited five games as coach of Palermo before finding a first victory in his second spell at this club. After taking over from Giuseppe Iachini, Ballardini had drawn one and lost three, before thrashing Frosinone 4-1 last weekend. However, losing this game could take Palermo back in the danger zone so a win is crucial.

Last season’s encounters between the two clubs both ended with a 1-1 draw. In Palermo, Sampdoria denied the hosts all points with an equaliser in the last minute of the match whilst at the Stadio Ferraris, Franco Vazquez equalised for the visitors after Eder’s opener.

The Azzurri striker will start this game as well, as Vincenzo Montella can count on him again after he missed the Lazio game. Next to him Luis Muriel should start, after coming on as a substitute last week, with Antonio Cassano being relegated back to the bench. Last week’s hero, Zukanovic, is unavailable after picking up a ban, whilst Nenad Krsticic is also ruled out due to an injury.

Ballardini, on the other hand, has a full squad apart from Roberto Vitiello, out with a long lasting injury. Aleksandar Trajkovski should be starting after the wonder goal against Frosinone, has said he is “happy to play anywhere” up front, and is likely to play next to Alberto Gilardino, with Vazquez behind them pulling the strings.

Form Guide: Sampdoria (L-L-L-L-D) Palermo (D-L-L-L-W)

Expected Starting XIs:

Sampdoria: Viviano; De Silvestri, Silvestre, Moisander, Regini; Carbonero, Palombo, Barreto; Soriano; Eder, Muriel.

Palermo: Sorrentino; Struna, Goldaniga, Gonzalez, Lazaar; Hiljemark, Jajalo, Chochev; Vazquez; Trajkovski, Gilardino.

Source: forzaitalianfootball.com

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