Frosinonevs.Salernitana

Eusebio Di Francesco's side are two places above the cellar-dwelling visitors, but 13 points separate both clubs heading into this weekend's fixtures.

Match preview

While Frosinone have not lost in Serie A for over a month, victories are needed for Di Francesco's men, whose top-flight status remains in danger.

The Canaries' last defeat was a 3-2 loss against Lazio on March 16, but four straight draws have prevented the 18th-placed side from leaving the danger zone.

Di Francesco's men gained creditable points at Genoa and Napoli, fighting back both times to pick up draws, but have fired blanks against Bologna and Torino. In all honesty, both were unsurprising given that Thiago Motta's team (joint-second-best defence) and Ivan Juric's side (fourth-best backline) have conceded 26 and 29 goals, respectively.

Thus, the Yellow and Blues will fancy themselves against a side that have let in 70 goals in Serie A this term, outdoing every other side after 33 games.

Having seen Lecce, Cagliari, Hellas Verona and Empoli secure pivotal points in the survival battle, Frosinine know full well that Friday is a must-win to boost their prospects of avoiding relegation to Serie B.

As for Salernitana, their top-flight fate could be sealed without kicking a ball, even if that will require a victory for Udinese in the rescheduled league fixture against Roma the day before — the initial fixture was suspended in minute 72 after Evan Ndicka collapsed, and the concluding period will be played on April 25.

If it ends 1-1 in Udine, it only delays the inevitable for a club without a win in Serie A since the backend of 2023 — a 1-0 triumph at Verona.

Unsurprisingly, Stefano Colantuono's side have the worst points return in 2024 in Serie A, securing three points from an available 45 since the turn of the year. Furthermore, the Campania outfit have scored the joint-fewest goals this year (11) and have let in the most (34).

While Colantuono is new to the job, the 61-year-old Italian will be in situ when Salernitana's relegation is ultimately assured.

They could go down swinging and possibly take Frosinone with them, but that requires a club with one win in 25 road games in Serie A to come up trumps on Friday.

Frosinone Serie A form:

L

L

D

D

D

D

Salernitana Serie A form:

L

L

L

D

L

L

Team News

A ligament injury has ruled out Sergio Kalaj for this season's entirety, and the defender is not expected to feature this weekend. While Abdou Harroui (thigh) is touch-and-go, Anthony Oyono (thigh) is unlikely to play any part.

Walid Cheddira has netted four times for Frosinone since the start of March, including a brace at parent club Napoli, and the forward aims to add to his six Serie A goals on Friday.

Nadir Zortea could add to his five assists from full-back since joining Di Francesco's side on loan from Atalanta in January, with his latest a pinpoint cross for Cheddira at the Maradona.

Lassana Coulibaly should return to the side's midfield after serving his suspension in round 33's loss against Fiorentina.

However, Antonio Candreva will not add to his 500 Serie A appearances this week following his fifth yellow card of 2023-24 against the Viola.

Giulio Maggiore and Grigoris Kastanos are expected to miss out because of knee injuries. Marco Pellegrino could deputise for Lorenzo Pirola if the latter has not recovered from the seeming thigh issue that saw him replaced against Vincenzo Italiano's side.

Frosinone possible starting lineup:

Turati; Lirola, Romagnoli, Okoli; Zortea, Mazzitelli, Barrenechea, Brescianini, Valeri; Cheddira, Soule

Salernitana possible starting lineup:

Ochoa; Pierozzi, Fazio, Pellegrino; Sambia, Coulibaly, Basic, Bradaric; Ikwuemesi, Tchaouna; Weissman

We say: Frosinone 2-1 Salernitana

This one is complicated to predict for a couple of reasons: Frosinone are winless in 12, and Salernitana have not tasted victory in 16 matches. The home side have not beaten the Granata in three competitive meetings (two draws), possibly making the away side favourites for Friday's game.

However, Di Francesco's men are fighting for their lives, and this match presents the Yellow and Blues their perfect opportunity to end that three-match streak without beating the Serie A bottom club. While a draw could be in the offing, we are sticking our necks out for a Frosinone victory.

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