Sampdoria and Genoa go on the attack in a must-win game for both sides, but above all it’s the fiery Derby della Lanterna.
It kicks off at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT), follow the build-up and action on the LIVEBLOG.
There’s a lot more than just city supremacy at stake in a packed Stadio Luigi Ferraris, commonly known as Marassi, because Samp Coach Marco Giampaolo is hanging by a thread and the Grifone are eager to assert themselves for a European push.
Sampdoria and Genoa go on the attack in a must-win game for both sides, but above all it’s the fiery Derby della Lanterna.
It kicks off at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT), follow the build-up and action on the LIVEBLOG.
There’s a lot more than just city supremacy at stake in a packed Stadio Luigi Ferraris, commonly known as Marassi, because Samp Coach Marco Giampaolo is hanging by a thread and the Grifone are eager to assert themselves for a European push.
The Blucerchiati are in dire straits after a strong start to the season, managing just two points from the last five rounds.
To make matters worse, goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano joined the injury list with Daniel Pavlovic, Dodo and Carlos Carbonero.
It means lifelong Sampdoria fan Christian Puggioni is given the gloves in this most crucial of matches.
Fabio Quagliarella is chosen to lead the line with Luis Muriel, support provided by Bruno Fernandes rather than Ricky Alvarez.
Genoa have won just one of their last five games, but also lost only once during that period, and still have a game in hand against Fiorentina.
Ivan Juric was a player at Genoa and is therefore no stranger to this atmosphere, though he’s in the stands due to a touchline ban for insulting the referee.
He is joined there by Darko Lazovic, as the Grifone have the worst disciplinary record in Serie A with five red cards in seven games.
Serge Gakpe is injured, while Leonardo Pavoletti and Lucas Ocampos are back in the squad, but only fit enough for the bench.
It means Cholito Giovanni Simeone is the centre-forward once again, the son of Diego proving to be an impressive Serie A striker.
Sampdoria have won just two of their last eight Genoa derbies as the ‘home’ side and last season were humiliated 3-0.
Sampdoria: Puggioni; Sala, Silvestre, Skriniar, Regini; Barreto, Torreira, Linetty; Bruno Fernandes; Quagliarella, Muriel
Sampdoria bench: Tozzo, Amuzie, Krajnc, Palombo, Pereira, Eramo, Alvarez, Praet, Djuricic, Cigarini, Budimir, Schick
Genoa: Perin; Izzo, Burdisso, Orban; Edenilson, Rincon, Veloso, Laxalt; Rigoni, Simeone, Pandev
Genoa bench: Lamanna, Zima, Gentiletti, Munoz, Biraschi, Brivio, Fiamozzi, Ntcham, Cofie, Ninkovic, Ocampos, Pavoletti