Serie A Preview: Sampdoria - Milan

Posted Saturday, April 17, 2010 by Goal.com

Both sides will be keen to pick up maximum points on Sunday afternoon.....

Kick-off: Sunday, April 18, 2010, 15:00 CET.
Stadio Luigi Ferraris, Genoa.

Derby Victory Boost

Sampdoria are surging towards the fourth and final Champions League spot in the Serie A table and their victory over Genoa last weekend will certainly have boosted their chances as well as their confidence. Samp defeated the Grifone 1-0 at home and are now up to fifth in the league standings with 54 points from 33 matches.

Interestingly, the Blucerchiati are level on points with fourth-placed Palermo but have an inferior goal difference. Luigi Del Neri's side are undefeated at home in Serie A this campaign and have conceded just nine goals in 16 league fixtures at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris. This will certainly up their chances and hopes of getting maximum points against Milan in front of their own supporters, especially as Milan are awful at the back and trequartista Antonio Cassano is in red-hot form.

Slim Scudetto Hopes

If Milan did go on to win the Scudetto this season, then they should thank Marco Borriello. The Italian international striker scored twice against Catania last weekend to salvage a valuable point in their bid to finish at the top of the table in Serie A. The Rossoneri were two goals down at the break but the 27-year-old netted the ball twice in the second half to keep Milan in the hunt for their first league triumph since 2004.

At the moment Milan are third with 64 points from 33 matches, four points behind second-placed Inter and five behind Roma, who are in pole position. This weekend Leonardo's side travel to Genoa to take on Sampdoria and indeed it will be a tough challenge for the Rossoneri, who have looked very shaky at the back. Ability to score more goals than the opposition and Ronaldinho's renaissance have kept the Diavolo alive in the title race as just five rounds of matches remain in this campaign.

FORM GUIDE

Sampdoria

April 11 v Genoa (H) - WON 1-0 (Serie A)

April 3 v Chievo (A) - WON 2-1 (Serie A)

March 28 v Cagliari (H) - DREW 1-1 (Serie A)

March 24 v Bari (A) - LOST 2-1 (Serie A)

March 21 v Juventus (H) - WON 1-0 (Serie A)

Milan

April 11 v Catania (H) - DREW 2-2 (Serie A)

April 3 v Cagliari (A) - WON 3-2 (Serie A)

March 28 v Lazio (H) - DREW 1-1 (Serie A)

March 24 v Parma (A) - LOST 1-0 (Serie A)

March 21 v Bari (A) - DREW 1-1 (Serie A)

TEAM NEWS

Sampdoria

Castellazzi and Pozzi are out while Gastaldello is suspended.

Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Storari, Zauri, Rossi, Lucchini, Ziegler; Semioli, Palombo, Poli, Guberti; Pazzini, Cassano

Milan

Beckham, Onyewu, Nesta, Pato, Adiyah and Jankulovski are out while Pirlo is suspended.

Probable Lineup (4-2-1-3): Dida, Zambrotta, Thiago Silva, Favalli, Antonini; Flamini, Ambrosini; Seedorf; Huntelaar, Borriello, Ronaldinho

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Antonio Cassano (Sampdoria)

The Italian scored the winner against Genoa last weekend and has been a reformed player since he was drafted back into the side by coach Luigi Del Neri. Cassano is looking strong and creative again and against a Milan side severely disjointed at the back, the 27-year-old could prove to be crucial.

Marco Borriello (Milan)

The Italian international striker scored twice against Catania last weekend to salvage a point for Milan. Borriello will again spearhead the Rossoneri attackline on Sunday afternoon and his movements in and around the Sampdoria penalty area will be a problem for the Genoa-based side.

PREDICTION

Milan's defence has looked awful this campaign and Sampdoria have not lost at home in the league this season. Therefore, Leonardo's side will find it tough against the hosts and will probably drop all three points.

Sampdoria 2-1 Milan