Cagliari are increasingly desperate, as bringing in Walter Mazzarri has so far failed to make an impact, but Sampdoria are losing their way too.
The Sardinians are still without a win and Mazzarri managed just two draws from four matches since replacing sacked Leonardo Semplici. They had been close to a victory before the break for international duty, ruined by a stoppage-time Venezia equaliser.
As for Samp, they lost Mikkel Damsgaard to injury while playing for Denmark, but Valerio Verre and Manolo Gabbiadini should return after long-term lay-offs. It’s no secret where their problems lie, conceding 10 goals in the last three matches.
Form Guide: Cagliari (D L L D L) Sampdoria (D L L W D)
Stat fact: Cagliari could fail to win any of their first eight Serie A games in a season for the first time since 2006-07, although they did avoid relegation that year.
Probable line-ups
Cagliari (3-5-2): Cragno; Caceres, Ceppitelli, Carboni; Nandez, Marin, Strootman, Deiola, Dalbert; Joao Pedro, Keita
Suspended: None
Injured: Rog, Faragò, Ladinetti, Ceter, Walukiewicz
On a yellow card: None
Sampdoria (4-4-2): Audero; Bereszynski, Yoshida, Colley, Augello; Candreva, Thorsby, Ekdal, Verre; Caputo, Quagliarella
Suspended: None
Injured: Ihattaren, Vieira, Askildsen, Damsgaard
On a yellow card: Bereszynski, Thorsby
Ref: Marchetti