In a clash between two teams at the wrong end of the Serie A table, Spezia host Cremonese at Stadio Alberto Picco on Sunday.
The home side currently occupy 15th place, while the visitors are finding it even tougher and sit in 19th.
Match preview
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After avoiding relegation by a mere six points last season, Spezia are looking likely to again find themselves embroiled in a battle at the wrong end of the table.
That is if their current form continues, having only won two of their opening nine fixtures, a record that leaves them just three points above the relegation zone.
In fairness to the Aquilotti though, their opening fixtures have been tough, travelling to Inter Milan, Juventus and Napoli in their first three away games this season, games that they could not have been expected to get much from.
Last time out however, Luca Gotti's side struggled against a comparatively weaker opponent, losing 2-0 away at newly-promoted Monza, and only mustering up one shot on target in the whole match.
It will be a relief to be back on home soil, where Spezia are actually undefeated so far this season, picking up all eight of their total points at Stadio Alberto Picco, with a record of two wins and three draws.
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In contrast, there have been no real positive signs for Cremonese so far, managing to acquire just three points from their opening nine games.
Having been promoted back to Serie A last season after a 26-year absence, it was always going to be tough for the Lombardy side, and a winless record leaves them second from bottom, above Sampdoria on goals scored.
After losing their opening four games, Massimiliano Alvini started to get more out of his side as they adjusted to life in Italy's top flight, picking up a draw against Sassuolo, and then a very impressive point away at second-place Atalanta BC.
Following this uptick in performance, the Grigiorossi were very unfortunate not to beat Lecce, dominating large parts of the match but unable to convert their chances, drawing 1-1.
Struggling last time out, losing 4-1 to top-of-the-table Napoli, Cremonese need to start winning matches very soon or they risk being cut adrift in the relegation zone, already four points from safety at this early stage.
Team News
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Petko Hristov is a doubt for Spezia, suffering with a knee issue that has caused him to miss his side's last two matches, a period in which Arkadiusz Reca has also been absent with a muscle injury.
Jacopo Sala has missed the last three matches for the Aquilotti with a thigh injury, and is expected to be out until the end of October.
After featuring in every league match this season, M'Bala Nzola is likely to get the nod in attack, with the striker having three goals to his name so far, including the winner in what could prove to be a very important 2-1 victory against Sampdoria.
Luca Gotti has favoured a 3-5-2 system in every Serie A match so far, with Ethan Ampadu set to start at the back after forcing himself into the team recently, while Mehdi Bourabia has so far been the consistent choice in the centre of midfield.
For Cremonese, Jack Hendry is unlikely to feature after missing the last two games due to a calf injury, and fellow defender Vlad Chiriches is also expected to miss out with a thigh issue.
Matteo Bianchetti is poised to start at centre-back in their absence, alongside Luka Lochoshvili, who has played a part in seven games so far this season.
Also a doubt in defence is Paolo Ghiglione, with Leonardo Sernicola likely to fill in at right-back.
Spezia possible starting lineup:
Dragowski; Ampadu, Kiwior, Nikolaou; Bastoni, Kovalenko, Bourabia, Agudelo, Holm; Gyasi, Nzola
Cremonese possible starting lineup:
Radu; Sernicola, Bianchetti, Lochosvili, Valeri; Ascacibar, Meite, Zanimacchia, Afena-Gyan, Quagliata; Dessers
We say: Spezia 2-1 Cremonese
Despite there not being a great deal separating the two sides, Spezia have been impressive at home this season, undefeated at Stadio Alberto Picco so far.
As such, we expect them to do just enough to get the three points in this one, particularly given the fact that Cremonese are yet to win a game.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Dominic Lund
