In-form Sampdoria can make it to the top half of the standings with three points from this match, whereas Udinese could reignite their European places challenge by winning at Marassi.

Having gained promotion to the Serie A with a squad full of talented players, Sampdoria were always going to sign some experience in the summer, and the club officials seem to have done a tremendous job.

Maxi Lopez, Eder, De Silvestri and Maresca arrived among others to improve the quality of the side but without disrupting the balance of the squad.

Shrewd summer recruitment helped Sampdoria to a bright start to the season, but the seven-match losing run that ensued gave everyone at the club a cause for concern.

Nonetheless, derby win over Genoa came at just the right time and Doria went on to beat Bologna and bring one point from Artemio Franchi in next two games.

As a result, Ciro Ferrara’s side are no less than 2.50 (3/2) with William Hill to record their third successive victory at Marassi.

Shkodran Mustafi and Nenad Krsticic are both suspended, while Maxi Lopez remains sidelined. Eder and Gaetano Berardi are injury doubts.

Probable starting line-up (4-1-4-1): Da Costa – De Silvestri, Gastaldello, Rossini, Costa – Maresca – Munari, Obiang, Tissone, Poli – Icardi.

Udinese go into this game in high spirits, having finally ended the seven-match winless run, but the Zebrette need to continue winning if they are to catch their rivals for European places.

The 4-1 win over Cagliari was just what this team needed to restore the lost confidence, while they are unlikely to be too downhearted by the Europa League defeat to Liverpool, given they had already been eliminated from the competition.

Now is time for Udinese to start the good run in the league and move further away from the danger zone, with Friulani 3.10 (21/10) at Paddy Power to triumph at Marassi.

Maurizio Domizzi, Dusan Basta and Luis Muriel have all resumed full training, but only the Serbian full-back is expected to start.

Boss Francesco Guidolin is certainly happy to see just Mehdi Benatia and Andrea Mazzarani in the infirmary.

Probable starting line-up (3-5-1-1): Brkic – Heurtaux, Danilo, Angella – Basta, Pereyra, Pinzi, Badu, Pasquale – Fabbrini – Di Natale.