MX23RW : Tuesday, December 3 16:58:52| >> :600:293533:293533:
[monks data]
Genoa logo
Serie A | Gameweek 12
Nov 7, 2024 at 7.45pm UK
Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris

Genoa
1 - 1
Como

Vogliacco (90+2')
Caricol (32'), Vogliacco (61'), Balotelli (79'), Vasquez (86')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Da Cunha (17')
Goldaniga (61'), Moreno (73'), Kempf (79')

Preview: Genoa vs. Como - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Thursday's Serie A clash between Genoa and Como, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Both averaging under one point per game this season, Serie A strugglers Genoa and Como will convene at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on Thursday evening.

A late goal saw the Grifone secure just their second league win earlier this week, while Como continued to falter, losing for the fourth time in five outings.


Match preview

Andrea Pinamonti of Genoa, October 2024© Imago

Monday night's Serie A action brought together promoted Parma and rock-bottom Genoa, and with neither side having won a single game since August, the stakes were particularly high at Stadio Tardini.

Just as it seemed the contest was heading for a grim goalless draw, the Grifone's star man Andrea Pinamonti popped up with an 80th-minute winner, bringing them level with their hosts in the standings.

There was even an opportunity for under-fire boss Alberto Gilardino to hand a late debut to much-travelled striker Mario Balotelli, who arrived in Liguria as a free agent last week.

Now out of the drop zone and onto nine points, Genoa - who finished safely in mid-table on their top-flight comeback last term - will try to pull further clear of danger by producing a first league win at Marassi.

They remain one of only two Serie A sides yet to taste success in front of their own fans, along with Monza, and Gilardino will be desperate to end that drought on Thursday.

Como head coach Cesc Fabregas on October 31, 2024© Imago

While injury-hit Genoa stuck with most of their starting XI from last week's loss to Fiorentina, Cesc Fabregas opted to make numerous changes on Monday evening, when Como travelled to Empoli.

However, that choice ultimately backfired, as his team dominated possession - ending the game with a 60% share of the ball - but only produced two shots on target at Stadio Carlo Castellani.

After suffering a tame 1-0 defeat, the Lariani have now collected just one point from their last five matches, and they remain winless since posting consecutive victories over Atalanta BC and Hellas Verona in September.

As Como have conceded 22 times so far, at a rate of two goals per game - only Verona have a worse record - it is clear that Fabregas some defensive issues to fix; continuing at that rate could see the Lombardy club head straight back down to Serie B.

No fewer than seven teams are separated by just one point at the foot of the table, though, so it could be a close-fought scrap over the months ahead.

Genoa Serie A form:

Como Serie A form:


Team News

ALBERTO GILARDINO, Coach, Serie A 2024-25 Monza-Genoa© Imago

With his squad ravaged by injury, Alberto Gilardino made just one change on Monday evening, as Alessandro Zanoli replaced Stefano Sabelli on Genoa's right flank.

It may be a similar starting XI against Como, too, as a packed treatment room features first-choice goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini, Mattia Bani, Junior Messias, Ruslan Malinovskyi, Koni De Winter, Brooke Norton-Cuffy and Vitinha.

Caleb Ekuban and Mario Balotelli are also short of fitness, so Andrea Pinamonti may again be partnered by teenage striker Jeff Ekhator. With his decisive strike earlier this week, Pinamonti moved onto four league goals - just one fewer than throughout his previous season at Marassi in 2019-20.

Meanwhile, Cesc Fabregas will revert to his strongest side after resting key men such as Nico Paz, Patrick Cutrone and Emil Audero last time out. Lucas Da Cunha, Andrea Belotti and Pepe Reina should therefore drop down to the bench.

Already without the services of Sergi Roberto and Belgian full-back Ignace Van der Brempt due to thigh injuries, Como could also be missing Luca Mazzitelli (calf) and Manchester City loanee Maximo Perrone (muscular).

That would leave a hole to fill in midfield, though Matthias Braunoder is now back from a ban and should start in the visitors' engine room.


Genoa possible starting lineup:
Leali; Matturro, Vogliacco, Vasquez; Sabelli, Thorsby, Badelj, Frendrup, Martin; Ekhator, Pinamonti

Como possible starting lineup:
Audero; Goldaniga, Dossena, Kempf, Moreno; Engelhardt, Braunoder; Strefezza, Paz, Fadera; Cutrone


SM words green background

We say: Genoa 1-0 Como

It may not be pretty, but Genoa can scrap their way to six points from six against two promoted sides this week, thereby prolonging Como's misery.

The Grifone showed some spirit to win in Parma, while their visitors remain a work in progress, so the long-suffering faithful at Stadio Luigi Ferraris should finally be rewarded.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


ID:557377:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect11637:
Written by
Jonathan O'Shea

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Genoa vs Como

Genoa
67.6%
Draw
21.1%
Como
11.3%
71
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Tottenham Hotspur's Ashley Phillips pictured on July 17, 2024
Read Next:
Transfer news and rumours today: Tottenham loan exit, Hummels to Real Sociedad
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
FT
Browns
32-41
Broncos
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Napoli1410222191232
2Atalanta BCAtalanta14101336162031
3Inter Milan1384131141728
4Fiorentina1384127101728
5Lazio1491429171228
6Juventus146802281426
7AC Milan136432314922
8Bologna135621816221
9Udinese145271621-517
10Empoli143741014-416
11Parma143652022-215
12Torino144371620-415
13CagliariCagliari143561524-914
14Genoa143561324-1114
15Roma143471420-613
16Lecce14347722-1513
17Hellas VeronaHellas Verona1440101733-1612
18Como142571426-1211
19Monza141761217-510
20VeneziaVenezia1422101125-148


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!