Preview: Frosinone vs. Monza - prediction, team news, lineups

Frosinone return to Serie A action in the New Year, seeking to get the better of Monza in Saturday's gameweek 19 encounter at Stadio Benito Stirpe.

The home side lost their final three games of 2023, while the Biancorossi secured one point from an available nine heading into 2024.

Match preview

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Frosinone were devoid of victories at the back end of 2023, with Eusebio Di Francesco's men winless in their last five games of last year after defeating Genoa 2-1 in November.

There was a stunning 4-0 Coppa Italia triumph over Napoli in December, but that success was followed by back-to-back losses against Juventus (2-1) and Lazio (3-1).

Considering league action, the league's new boys have perhaps been unfortunate to face both Milan clubs, the Old Lady and Maurizio Sarri's team recently, and should welcome a milder fixture list this month, even if they travel to Atalanta on January 15.

The 2-1 loss to Juventus was the first home reverse Di Francesco's men suffered in four months — an opening-day defeat by the Partenopei — and the Canaries aim to return to winning at the Benito Stirpe.

Last year's Serie B champions have netted in all but one home game all season, and that gives them optimism heading into gameweek 19 as they seek a sixth triumph in front of their fans.

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As for Monza, the year did not end positively for Raffaele Palladino's troops owing to consecutive losses against AC Milan and Fiorentina, although they did secure a point at Napoli to end 2023.

Be that as it may, the Biancorossi winning one of the last seven in Serie A does not bode well heading into 2024, with the marginal win over Genoa on December 10 the only recorded triumph for the 11th-placed side.

Away victories have not been forthcoming all season, underscored by two road wins for Palladino's side — beating Sassuolo (1-0) and Hellas Verona (3-1).

It remains to be seen if Monza nick maximum road points for the first time since November 5, but keeping a clean sheet puts the Biancorossi on track to securing a positive outcome.

It is striking that Palladino's troops have secured four points in away games where they have kept their hosts from scoring and must build on the recent point at the Maradona to start 2024 on a high.

Team News

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Pol Lirola and Jaime Baez are touch-and-go for Frosinone and should be assessed before Saturday's game.

However, Anthony Oyono, Riccardo Marchizza and Sergio Kalaj are not expected to participate, even if all three are nearing returns.

The visitors are still without the suspended Papu Gomez, while Mirko Maric is banned after getting sent off at Napoli despite not coming off the bench.

On a positive note, Pablo Mari should return to the backline after missing the team's final game of 2023 in Naples due to suspension.

Frosinone possible starting lineup:

Turati; Monterisi, Okoli, Romagnoli, Lirola; Mazzitelli, Barrenechea, Brescianini; Harroui, Jorge, Soule

Monza possible starting lineup:

Di Gregorio; Pereira, Mari, Caldirola; Ciurria, Gagliardini, Pessina, Kyriakopoulos; Colpani, Mota; Colombo

We say: Frosinone 2-1 Monza

After going two games without a home win, Frosinone should get the better of Monza in front of their fans to begin the year positively.

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