Two former Serie A high-flyers will meet on Sunday as Palermo host Cagliari at the Stadio Renzo Barbera. The Eagles go into round No 18 in 14th place in the standings.
Palermo are unbeaten in three straight games in the league but are just three points off the relegation zone.
Cagliari are 11th in the standings and just four points off the top six. A win against Palermo away from home could take the Islanders closer to the promotion playoff places.
The Islanders are coming off a 3-2 win at home against last-place team Perugia a week ago. The win was Cagliari’s first in six tries.
Cagliari took seven points from the last 18 points on offer in the league. They scored nine goals and conceded nine times across the last six fixtures.
Palermo picked up eight points from the last six games in the division. Goals did not flow for Palmero as they scored five times and conceded five times across the six fixtures.
Cagliari have Serie B’s second-most draws this term, with seven from 17 matches. Palermo picked up five draws from 17 matches this term in Serie B.
Palermo have played well at the Stadio Renzo Barbera this season with three wins, three draws, and three defeats. The Eagles are +1 in goals at home.
Coach Eugenio Corini has several players on the Palermo injury list ahead of matchday No 18. Forward Salvatore Elia is ruled out with an ACL injury, midfielder Alessio Buttaro could miss out with a knock, and defender Edoardo Lancini could sit out with an injury as well.
Meanwhile, forward Luca Vido is a doubt following an illness. There may not be a place for midfielders Roberto Crivello and Masimiliano Doda, as both are carrying injuries.
Cagliari have struggled to win games on the road, but they have still taken points. The Islanders have a record of 1W-4D-3L away from Sardegna Arena. Cagliari are –1 in goals away from home. Three of their last five road games ended as draws.
Fabio Liverani doesn’t have the same issues as Corini. Liverani may have midfielders Marko Rog and Marco Mancosu back from physical discomfort. Midfielder Alberto Dossena is likely to miss the game with a knock. Alessandro Deiola is out with a ligament injury.
Cagliari have drawn seven of 17 matches this season in Serie B. On Sunday, the Islanders will pick up an eighth draw of the campaign with the match finishing 1-1 at the Stadio Renzo Barbera.