Genoa-Venezia is a Serie B Week 20 match and is played on Monday at 18:45: odds, predictions, TV and streaming
The twentieth day of Serie B, the first of the second half, closes with the match between Genoa and Venezia, two teams who both played in Serie A last season. Today, however, they are fighting for different goals: the Rossoblù are dreaming of an immediate return to the top flight, while the Venezia are in a difficult situation and, despite a squad designed for something else, need to avoid a resounding relegation.
Genoa have changed pace with the arrival on the bench of Alberto Gilardino, promoted from the spring after the dismissal of German Blessin. With the 2006 world champion, the team has started to turn around again and in the last four matches has brought home three wins and a draw. The latest success, a heavy one, on Boxing Day against Bari, a direct competitor for promotion. On Saturday, the Gallettos scrambled Parma at the San Nicola, joining Genoa in third place. Genoa are now called upon to take advantage of the false step of Inzaghi’s Reggina, second in the standings, who fell by surprise two days ago against Spal. By beating Venezia, Gilardino’s men would climb to 36 points, the same as the amaranth. Genoa savoured the scent of Serie A again this week when they faced Roma in the Coppa Italia: the red and blues performed well overall, only being beaten by a Dybala goal (1-0) on the evening at the Stadio Olimpico.
Venezia have also benefited from the change in the bench – Vanoli for Javorcic – recording five useful results in their last six matches (three wins and two draws), but they cannot lower their guard. The classification, in fact, sees the lagunari still in third-last position and if the cadet championship ended today they would end up in Serie C.
Genoa-Venezia: latest line-up news
There are no major problems with Gilardino’s formation, who should field the best possible line-up against Venezia. The only doubt the coach from Biella has is in attack, where Puscas and Coda are competing for a shirt. In the three-quarter there is the x on duty Aramu.
Novakovich
Venice midfielder Jajalo, who arrived a few days ago from Udinese, could make his debut from the 1′. Vanoli recovers Zampano and Ullmann, while he must do without Cherishev.
The prediction
Curiously, both Genoa and Venice have done better away, where they have collected most of the points. But those who are better off are undoubtedly the Rossoblù, reborn with Gilardino on the bench. A comeback that rests on defence: the Ligurians have conceded just one goal in their last four matches. A victory for them is probable.
Genoa v Venice likely line-up
- GENOA (4-3-2-1): Semper; Hefti, Bani, Dragusin, Criscito; Jagiello, Strootman, Frendrup; Aramu, Gudmundsson; Coda.
- VENEZIA (3-5-2): Joronen; Wisniewski, Ceccaroni, Ceppitelli; Zampano, Crnigoj, Jajalo, Tessmann, Haps; Pohjampalo, Johnsen.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1
