Preview: Monza vs. Cremonese - prediction, team news, lineups

While the hosts occupy a secure slot in mid-table during their first top-flight campaign, their visitors still have just one win on the board following last week's loss to Fiorentina.

Match preview

While recent results have seen hopes of a top-half finish take a hit, Monza's Serie A debut has lived up to last summer's investment, as they built a squad to not only survive but also thrive among Calcio's elite.

Raffaele Palladino's men were held by Hellas Verona last weekend - Stefano Sensi finding a quick equaliser after they fell behind shortly after half time - which leaves them sitting 12th in the standings.

Nonetheless, the Biancorossi have recorded nine league wins since Palladino took over from Giovanni Stroppa in September and are virtually safe already: a buffer of 14 points separates them from the relegation zone with 12 games remaining.

Home form has played a major role in their success this season, as they have earned 16 of 18 available points from traditional 3pm kickoffs on home soil, keeping four clean sheets in the process.

After winning 3-2 in January's reverse fixture, Monza will therefore expect to do the double over Cremonese this week, having already beaten fallen giants Juventus both home and away this term.

That loss to their fellow Lombardy club was one of 16 since Cremonese made a long-awaited return to the top flight, with the latest setback coming last weekend.

Recording a second reverse since their only league win of the season - over Roma at the end of last month - the Grigiorossi went down 2-0 to Fiorentina at Stadio Giovanni Zini, and dreams of a dramatic escape from demotion receded still further.

Head coach Davide Ballardini has certainly made an impact since arriving in Cremona - leading his side into the Coppa Italia semi-finals by upsetting both Napoli and Roma - but is increasingly in need of a miracle to keep them afloat in Serie A.

Fully 12 points adrift of safety, Cremonese are yet to record a single league win on the road and are only one of two clubs still in that situation - 18th-placed Verona are the other.

They have at least managed six draws in their 13 away matches to date, but Ballardini must start turning single-point hauls into triples if his team are to avoid going down with a whimper.

Monza Serie A form:

D

W

L

L

W

D

Cremonese Serie A form:

L

L

D

W

L

L

Team News

After picking up another point in Verona last week, Monza are set to name a settled starting XI on Saturday, with Andrea Petagna once again leading the line.

While they have found the net at a decent rate this season, wing-back Carlos Augusto is their joint-top Serie A scorer on just four goals, alongside Patrick Ciurria and Gianluca Caprari - the latter pair should feature in support of Petagna up front.

Dany Mota and Nicolo Rovella have both been ruled out until after the international break by ankle injuries, but Biancorossi boss Raffaele Palladino otherwise has a full hand from which to choose.

Meanwhile, Cremonese's only confirmed absentee is Emanuel Aiwu, but fellow defender Vlad Chiriches remains a doubt. Alex Ferrari should therefore feature in the visitors' back three, alongside Matteo Bianchetti and Johan Vasquez.

Among forwards who have scored at least five times in Serie A this season, Cyriel Dessers has done so from the fewest shots on target (11), and he remains the Grigiorossi's joint-top scorer with fellow Nigeria international David Okereke.

Monza possible starting lineup:

Di Gregorio; Caldirola, Mari, Izzo; Birindelli, Pessina, Sensi, Augusto; Ciurria; Caprari, Petagna

Cremonese possible starting lineup:

Carnesecchi; Bianchetti, Vasquez, Ferrari; Sernicola, Benassi, Pickel, Meite, Valeri; Okereke, Dessers

We say: Monza 2-1 Cremonese

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