Genoa find themselves in the Serie a bottom three going into matchday 9 of the Serie A season. The Grifone were finally sold to new owners and expectations are high after the frugal, poor management previously at the club.
However, Genoa have a long way to go to reach the levels they did just five seasons ago in Serie A. Davide Ballardini needs the team to pick up all three points against Torino on Friday night in an early kick off at the Marassi.
Torino are 12th in the Serie A standings ahead of the weekend’s fixtures. Ivan Juric’s team has taken eight points from 24 on offer this term. Just two points separate Genoa and Torino in the table.
Torino are winless in four straight games with the last two matches finish in losses.
Il Toro are unbeaten in nine straight matches versus Genoa in all competitions. Last season, Torino claimed four points from the last six on offer in Serie A against the Grifone.
Genoa are winless at home this season with two points from 12 on offer. They have been outscored 9-7 by opponents at the Marassi.
Torino have taken four points from 12 on the road this season. They have scored a mere three goals on their travels while conceding four times.
Torino’s last away match against Napoli finished 1-0 in favour of the Naples-based club.
Ballardini has three defenders that could miss the game on Friday night. Davide Biraschi, Nikola Maksimovic, and Zinho Vanheusdan are all doubts to play due to their respective injury problems. Midifielder Hernani is a doubt due to a muscle strain.
Juric has a long list of players in the Torino injury treatment room. Forward Lhassine Kone is a doubt due to a muscle strain. Captain Rolando Mandragora is ruled out until November with a knee injury. Simone Verdi is a doubt with a hamstring issue.
Midfielder Marko Pjaca could return from a calf issue as could midfielder Dennis Praet. Praet is nearing a return from a hamstring strain and could play versus the Grifone. Forward Simone Edera is a doubt following an ACL injury.
Three of the last nine games between Genoa and Torino finished as draws. Genoa are co-leaders in Serie A with three draws this term. Torino have had two of their eight matches finish in draws. Friday’s game is likely to finish in a draw between two teams desperate for points.
It should be a low-scoring game with under 2.5 goals. Six of the last 11 matches between Genoa and Torino in all competitions finished with under 2.5 goals tallied.