Torino will be desperate to end their four-match losing run and kick-start their season with a home win over Livorno, a team that left the relegation zone for the first time after quite a while. And while Granata may not be involved in the relegation tussle, they will be eager to record a win that would see them remain in the top half of the standings.

Must-win game

Together with Hellas Verona, Torino have been the biggest surprise package of the current Serie A campaign and not even the latest dismal run is enough to mar their achievement. For two thirds of the season, Granata were producing very good displays both home and away, even impressing against league’s top sides. And while they were always going to experience a dip in form, the four-match losing run also has a lot to do with the difficult fixture list. The only major setback in this period was the 2-0 home defeat to Sampdoria, while narrow losses to Juventus, Inter and Napoli cannot exactly be considered slip-ups. Boss Giampiero Ventura surprised everyone by resting what is the second best attacking partnership in the league against the Azzurri, but that means free-scoring Ciro Immobile and Alessio Cerci will be well rested for the very important game against Livorno. And with other key players also available, everything suggests Torino are finally set to end the barren run.

Ciro Immobile and Alessio Cerci will be restored to the starting line-up, but Migjen Basha is doubtful and Marcelo Larrondo, Salvatore Masiello and Giovanni Pasquale are out injured.

Livorno out of the bottom three

Despite winning two of their first three matches since returning to the elite division, Livorno quickly slipped into the relegation zone and they have been in the bottom three ever since. At the turn of the year it looked as though Amaranto were destined for the drop, but the arrival of Mimmo Di Carlo changed everything. Livorno have shown a great deal of improvement since the experienced coach took over in January and having won three matches under his guidance, the team finally left the bottom three last weekend. Narrow win over relegation rivals Bologna proved enough to overturn their opponents in the league standings, but Livorno face a difficult job in an attempt to remain above the relegation zone. The Bologna win came at a cost as important players Ibrahima Mbaye and Innocent Emeghara were both send off in the process, and their absence is likely to create additional problems ahead of the match at Stadio Olimpico. And taking also team’s 2-2-9 away record into account, I am afraid they are in for another disappointment on the road.

Ibrahima Mbaye and Innocent Emeghara are banned, whilst Andrea Lucci is out injured. Ishak Belfodil and Paulinho will start up front.

Verdict

Torino may have failed to prove their worth in recent matches against Italy’s top sides, but with Immobile and Cerci back, Granata look a good bet to see off travel-sick Livorno. Meanwhile, Amaranto will be missing two important players and I just cannot see them getting anything from this match.

Top pick: Home win   1.67 (2/3) @ Ladbrokes

Alternative pick 1: Over 2.5 goals   2.05 (21/20) @ Betfair

Alternative pick 2: Torino/Torino   2.60 (8/5) @ BetVictor