Two unlikely European hopefuls meet at the U-Power Stadium in Serie A on Thursday, when Monza host Bologna.
The two sides finished in mid-table last season but were only a few points short of qualifying for Europe, and positive starts suggest they could challenge again.
Match preview
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Despite both clubs sitting in the bottom half heading into this midweek set of fixtures, the two sides have arguably overachieved given such difficult starts.
Raffaele Palladino led Monza to a fantastic tally of 52 points in their debut Serie A season, and they have made another fine start.
Despite being just two points above the drop zone, they have collected more points in their opening five games than they took from their first seven last season.
That feat is made even more impressive when it is taken into consideration that Monza have already faced away trips to Inter Milan, Atalanta and Lazio - three of last season's top five.
Monza did lose to both Inter and Atalanta, but a draw in the capital at the weekend in a game where they even could have won gives a lot for Palladino to be optimistic about.
After making such a positive start to life in the top flight, there were fears that Monza could suffer second-season syndrome, something which really became apparent after the death of Silvio Berlusconi, the man who had been pumping money into the club.
They will hope to continue an unbeaten start at home though, which has seen them beat Empoli and draw with high-flying Lecce.
Monza face only one side who qualified for Europe in their next eight league matches, so this run of games will be targeted as a potential catalyst to move up the standings.
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Likewise to Monza, Bologna were also handed a devilishly difficult start but have come through it with flying colours.
After an opening day defeat to AC Milan, Bologna are now unbeaten in four matches, a run which has seen them hold Juventus and Napoli to draws.
Facing three of the title favourites in the opening five weeks was an unenviable task, but Thiago Motta's side already have six points on the board and sit 11th.
With Monza up next, and Empoli, Frosinone and Sassuolo all to come in their next five games, their position after 10 games will be a much clearer indicator of where Bologna are at.
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Team News
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Both teams are likely to rotate given the short window between the weekend's action.
Monza will be without Davide Bettella and Gianluca Caprari due to injury, but Luca Caldirola will be available for selection after serving a one-match ban.
Former Inter man Danilo D'Ambrosio could be one of the fringe players to come in as Palladino may make some personnel changes.
Motta may follow suit, and that could give AC Milan loanee Alexis Saelemaekers a full debut.
The Belgian winger made his debut as a 64th-minute substitute against Napoli at the weekend and could come into the starting XI out wide along with Riccardo Orsolini, who has not started since making his first appearance for the Italian national side in three years earlier this month.
Bologna's only current injury absentee is Adama Soumaoro, who is recovering from an ACL injury.
Monza possible starting lineup:
Di Gregorio; D'Ambrosio, Pablo Mari, Caldirola; Donati, Gagliardini, Pessina, Ciurria; Colpani, Colombo, Dany Mota
Bologna possible starting lineup:
Skorupski; De Silvestri, Beukema, Lucumi, Lykogiannis; Freuler, Aebischer, Ferguson; Orsolini, Zirkzee, Saelemaekers
We say: Monza 1-1 Bologna
In a kinder fixture on paper than what Monza have faced often so far this season, the hosts may still find it difficult against a Bologna side that have taken six points despite scoring just three goals.
That efficiency has seen the visitors lose just one of their last 11 competitive matches, and that streak could well continue here.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Andrew Delaney
