Derby della Lanterna see both Sampdoria and Genoa in the bottom half of the standings following a slow start to the season, which should add an extra spice to what is always a hugely entertaining encounter.

Despite ensuring Serie A survival well ahead of the season finale, Doriani should have done better to avoid a ten-match winless run that lasted more than two months and ended on the final day of the season.

The club chiefs were then unable to keep hold of star players Andrea Poli and Mauro Icardi, but they did well to sign Manolo Gabbiadini from Juventus, while securing Lorenzo De Silvestri on another season-long loan.

Sampdoria started the season well, winning the Coppa Italia clash against Benevento before losing at home to reigning champions Juventus.

Nevertheless, they showed a considerable improvement to bring one point from Bologna and now hope to return to winning ways against their bitter rivals.

Even with home field advantage non-existent in this match, Sampdoria have been made 2.50 (3/2) favourites by William Hill.

Given that Daniele Gastaldello and Paolo Castellini return from injury and suspension, boss Delio Rossi should have fully fit squad to choose from.

Probable starting line-up (3-5-2): Da Costa – Gastaldello, Palombo, Costa – De Silvestri, Soriano, Krsticic, Obiang, Regini – Eder, Gabbiadini.

Menawhile, Genoa were seriously involved in the relegation tussle last season, and it was only a seven-match unbeaten run during the season finale that saw them avoid the drop.

The club chiefs have since replaced Davide Ballardini with former midfielder Fabio Liverani, who still appears to be struggling in his new job.

There were some important changes at Stadio Luigi Ferraris this summer, with Alberto Gilardino and Davide Biondini returning from loan spells and Francesco Lodi arriving from Catania.

At the same time, Andreas Granqvist, Bosko Jankovic Sebastian Frey and few more players left the club, but the backbone remained pretty much the same.

Genoa, however, had a dismal start to the season, losing the Coppa Italia clash to Spezia before suffering Serie A defeats to Inter and Fiorentina.

As a result, the visitors are completely out of confidence at the moment, so no doubt they are 3.25 (9/4) with Coral to record the first victory of the season.

Defenders Mario Sampirisi and Giovanni Marchese miss out through suspension, whereas Luca Antonelli is injured and Adrian Stoian is doubtful.

Probable starting line-up (3-5-1-1): Perin – Manfredini, Portanova, Gamberini – Vrsaljko, Kucka, Lodi, Matuzalem, Antonini – Santana – Gilardino.

Unbeatable FREE BET Package!

888Sports have just taken free bet promotions to another level! New customers can now get  £/€/88 in Free Bets + 20 Free Spin Spins + Up to 5 “No Lose Bet”. All you need to do is place of at least £/€/$10 with 888Sports to get up to  £/€/$88 in Free Bets + 20 Free Casino Spins for City Life Slot. And also, make a first mobile bet of at least £/€/$1 with minimum odds of 1.5 to get up to £/€/$5 “No lose Bet” on Mobile.

Get Your £88 in Free Bets!