Nominal hosts Genoa go into Derby della Lanterna in better spirits having climbed to 11th in the standings, although their bitter rivals have been showing a lot of promise under Sinisa Mihajlovic and will see this game as an opportunity to finally move away from the danger zone.

The Gialloblu recovered well from the poor start to the season with club’s decision to sack coach Fabio Liverani and appoint Gian Piero Gasperini proving spot on.

Genoa in turn quickly climbed out of the danger zone, mostly thanks to some impressive displays at their Stadio Luigi Ferraris.

The Gialloblu are unbeaten in last seven home matches, winning five of those, and having defeated Sampdoria 3-0 in a reverse fixture, they are 2.62 (13/8) to pour more misery on their arch rivals.

Genoa did well to reinforce the squad in January, having recruited Nicolas Burdisso, Paolo de Ceglie, Marco Motta, Cabral and Giuseppe Sculli, with some of these already nailing down regular starting berths.

Boss Gian Piero Gasperini doesn’t have too many problems ahead of the derby clash with Sampdoria, given that Juraj Kucka and Alessandro Gamberini are the only players in the infirmary.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Perin – De Maio, Burdisso, Marchese – Antonini, Matuzalem, Bertolacci, De Ceglie – Konate, Gilardino, Antonelli.

Just like their local rivals, Sampdoria, too, needed a change on the bench to start playing to their potential, with the team doing really well since the arrival of former Catania and Fiorentina boss Sinisa Mihajlovic.

The Bluecerchiati have only suffered three defeats in last eleven matches, losing to title contenders Napoli, Roma and Juventus, while impressing in matches against bottom-table sides.

Sampdoria slipped back to the danger zone partly due to the difficult fixture list, but having beaten Udinese 3-0 and given a good account of themselves in the 4-2 defeat to Juventus, the team go into the derby match in good spirits.

Sinisa Mihajlovic’s side were unfortunate not to beat Bologna last time out, having conceded a last-gasp equalizer from the penalty spot.

Samp, too, made some last minute signings as they added Maxi Lopez, Alessio Sestu and Stefano Okaka to their ranks, with the Argentine striker expected to slot straight into the starting line-up.

With only Birkir Bjarnason doubtful through injury, the visitors can be backed at 3.00 (2/1) to get revenge on Genoa for the 3-0 defeat in the first part of the season.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Da Costa – De Silvestri, Mustafi, Gastaldello, Regini – Palombo, Krsticic – Soriano, Eder, Gabbiadini – Lopez.