Spezia find themselves just one point clear of the Serie A relegation zone as they prepare to entertain Monza at Stadio Alberto Picco on Friday evening.
While Spezia have managed to win only one of their last 14 league games, Monza head into Friday's clash on the back of two straight victories.
Match preview
© Reuters
It is fair to say that Spezia can count themselves unfortunate to have drawn with Sampdoria last time out, as the visitors enjoyed the lion's share of possession at Marassi while racking up 19 shots.
After falling behind midway through the first half, the Eagles found a 59th-minute equaliser through Daniele Verde, but they failed to find a winner as Sampdoria's backline stood firm.
Spezia have now recorded three 1-1 draws in their last four matches, with draws against Salernitana and Fiorentina preceding a 3-0 defeat to Lazio, meaning that Leonardo Semplici's side have failed to win any of their last five outings.
Having achieved a solitary victory across their previous 14 games – recording six draws and seven losses along the way – Spezia must start turning draws into wins if they are serious about steering clear of relegation trouble.
Although Semplici's men are the division's third-lowest scorers, they boast the best defensive record in the bottom nine, so they will be hopeful of frustrating Monza.
© Reuters
The Biancorossi secured a famous 1-0 victory over Inter Milan at San Siro a fortnight ago, and they built on that triumph with a spirited 3-2 win against Fiorentina last weekend.
Monza found themselves 2-0 down after 13 minutes before Fiorentina defender Cristiano Biraghi netted an own goal to give the hosts a lifeline, with Dany Mota and Matteo Pessina scoring to turn the game on its head.
Not only have Monza won each of their last two encounters, but they have also avoided defeat in six of their previous seven, taking 12 points from a possible 21 since suffering back-to-back losses in February.
It is also worth pointing out that Monza have lost just two of their last nine away league games, picking up four wins and three draws to move to within a single point of the top 10.
Given that only eight teams have collected more points on the road than Raffaele Palladino's side this season, the Lombardy outfit will back themselves to pick up a positive result when they visit Stadio Alberto Picco.
Team News
© Reuters
Spezia have multiple injury concerns at the moment, with Julius Beck, Emil Holm, Joao Moutinho, Petar Zovko and Szymon Zurkowski all expected to miss Friday's clash.
On a brighter note, Chelsea loanee Ethan Ampadu is set to return from suspension after missing last weekend's 1-1 draw at Sampdoria.
AC Milan loanee Daniel Maldini will continue to support striker M'Bala Nzola, who has netted 13 goals in 26 Serie A appearances this season.
Monza have reported no fresh injury problems ahead of the trip to Spezia, so Palladino may be tempted to stick with the same starting XI that helped the club seal back-to-back wins.
Having bagged five goals and two assists this term, Gianluca Caprari will keep his place in the team, while Patrick Ciurria will aim to enhance this tally of four goals and six assists.
Spezia possible starting lineup:
Zoet; Amian, Ampadu, Wisniewski, Bastoni; Ekdal, Esposito, Bourabia; Gyasi, Nzola, Maldini
Monza possible starting lineup:
Di Gregorio; Izzo, Mari, Caldirola; Ciurria, Rovella, Pessina, Augusto; Colpani, Caprari; Mota
We say: Spezia 1-1 Monza
Spezia have shown great spirit to draw three of their last four matches and remain outside the relegation zone, so we expect the hosts to hold Monza at Stadio Alberto Picco, with a familiar scoreline in the offing.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Ben Morris
