On Wednesday, Genoa will face Cremonese in Serie A at Stadio Luigi Ferraris. Both teams are looking for a crucial win as they continue their campaigns in the 2023-2024 season.
Match Preview: Genoa vs. Cremonese
This will be the first top-flight encounter between the clubs since September 1996. At that time, Cremonese secured a victory, contributing to a three-match winning streak in this fixture.
Current Form and Context
Genoa finished last season in 13th place but has struggled this year. They have yet to win in their first eight matches, accumulating only three points. Their most recent match against Torino ended in another defeat, marking their fifth loss this season—more than any other team in Serie A.
Genoa has only scored four goals this season, the second lowest in the league, while they have conceded 11 goals, ranks among the worst defensive teams. Their lack of points keeps them in the relegation zone, two points below Hellas Verona, who will play Como this week.
In contrast, Cremonese has established a seven-point buffer above the relegation zone despite a shaky return to the top division. They started the season with an unbeaten streak until suffering a heavy 4-1 defeat against Inter Milan. Davide Nicola’s side has drawn five matches, the most in Serie A, as they strive for solid defensive performances rather than aggressive attacking plays.
Team News
For Genoa, defenders Nicolae Stanciu and Alessandro Marcandalli are likely to miss the match due to injuries. Coach Patrick Vieira is relying on Ruslan Malinovskyi to enhance their attacking capabilities, as he has been their most effective playmaker so far.
Cremonese faces several injury concerns, particularly with players like Giuseppe Pezzella and Antonio Sanabria needing evaluations. Michele Collocolo is confirmed out for the fixture. Jamie Vardy recently scored, adding to the tally of three players who have found the net twice for Cremonese this season.
Projected Lineups
| Genoa Possible Starting XI | Cremonese Possible Starting XI |
|---|---|
| Leali | Audero |
| Sabelli, Ostigad, Vasquez, Ellertsson | Terracciano, Baschirotto, Bianchetti |
| Frendrup, Masini | Zerbin, Payero, Bondo, Vandeputte, Mussolini |
| Norton-Cuffy, Malinovskyi, Thorsby | Bonazzoli, Vardy |
Predictions
Analyzing both teams, it appears that this matchup may end in a draw. With Genoa struggling to score and Cremonese focused on solid defense, a low-scoring encounter seems likely. The anticipated outcome is a 1-1 draw as both clubs vie for vital points in this Serie A clash.
