In Venezia and Como’s first Serie A encounter since the 1949/50 season, Venezia will host Como on Sunday at Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo.
vouchers three points away from each other closer to the bottom of the standings, it would put the hosts on par with their counterparts from Lombardy.
Venezia is already on the bottom of the table and last week they lost to Bologna at the Dall’Ara stadium with 3-0 that can put Eusebio Di Francesco’s job as a Venezia coach in danger.
Their fourth consecutive defeat – in a streak with one goal scored and seven conceded – came after a demoralising match against Lecce at home and SPAL is now four points from the safe zone.
Venezia have scored the fewest goals from open play in Serie A this season - just four so far - and when they do find the net, it often proves beyond them to hold a lead: Di Francesco’s side have lost 14 points from winning positions ever since Serie A return.
Thus, last term’s playoff winners in Serie B have claimed only two wins for the entire campaign and none at all since October, along with a Coppa Italia first-round exit.
Thus, there is only pressure in facing a direct competitor for the top flight of salvation. At least they’ll have history on their side this weekend, as they have lost to Como in their last five meetings taking place at Stadio Penzo.
In fact, the last time Como won a league game against Venezia dates back to the second division and it was in September 1994 though the two sides have rarely met in the Italian football leagues .
Now, the Lakeside Lariani face the lagoonside Lagunari with a desire not to fall even lower into the ranks of Serie A after a poor performance of the team over the past two months.
Como just joined Venezia in the drop zone and is one of just four teams in Europe's top five divisions without a victory since September.
Cesc Fabregas' team's winless run has already reached eight games, and they are yet to record their first clean sheet of the season after being held to a 1-1 home tie by Lombardy rivals Monza last time out.
Much was anticipated after being pushed after funding from affluent supporters, with the help of Fabregas, Thierry Henry, and frequent Hollywood tourists adding some star power. However, reality has already struck hard.
Patrick Cutrone, who scored in the March match against Venezia, has been struggling to score goals since October, much like Pohjanpalo. After starting the season with four goals in six games, the Como forward has not registered in any of his previous eight league outings, and Andrea Belotti may take his position.
Cesc Fabregas can welcome back two regular starters, although he is without left-back Alberto Moreno and Sergi Roberto and Maximo Perrone, who have both been out for several weeks.
Along with midfielder Luca Mazzitelli, who scored five Serie A goals for Frosinone last season and a fantastic goal against Lazio earlier this season, center-back Alberto Dossena is also available after serving a suspension.
