Seeking a sixth straight win, Serie A's form side Como will host Cagliari on Saturday afternoon.
While the Lariani have impressively secured top-flight survival, their Sardinian counterparts can join them by winning at Stadio Sinigaglia.
Match preview
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Sprinting to the finish line, towards the end of a tough comeback campaign, Como have won their last five Serie A matches - setting a new club record. In the process, they have conceded just one goal.
Among promoted teams, the only side to post more successive wins was Lazio back in 1973, highlighting the scope of their achievement under rookie coach Cesc Fabregas.
Last week, Gabriel Strefezza downed Parma with a late strike at Stadio Tardini to continue his late-season purple patch - the Brazilian winger has been directly involved in a goal in all of his last three games - and Como climbed into the top 10.
So, the Lariani are very much in the mix for an unexpected top-half finish, as they reap the fruit of some canny investments during the winter transfer window - notably, goalkeeper Jean Butez, young winger Assane Diao and Greek striker Tasos Douvikas.
Como last won three consecutive home games in Serie A just over 40 years ago, but having stormed clear of danger in some style, they will expect to extend a 100% top-flight home record against Cagliari.
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Following a 1-1 home draw in August's reverse fixture, Cagliari could do with a similar outcome this weekend, while a win in Lombardy would guarantee top-tier survival.
Last week's 2-1 defeat to Udinese left them seven points clear of the relegation zone with just three games remaining, so even a loss may not prove too costly - providing other results go their way.
Previously, the Sardinian side had beaten Hellas Verona to record just a third away victory of the season, and that result gave them some precious breathing space.
Cagliari are now intent on winning back-to-back away matches for the first time in Serie A since September 2019, thereby hitting 36 points - the same number they achieved under Claudio Ranieri last term.
Davide Nicola's current side still have fixtures against drop-threatened Venezia and title-chasing Napoli to come, but they would love to get the job done this week before enjoying the 2024-25 season's finale.
Team News
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Once again, Como coach Cesc Fabregas cannot count on Alberto Dossena, Sergi Roberto and Assane Diao, all of whom are sidelined for the rest of the season.
Furthermore, French midfielder Lucas Da Cunha sustained a thigh injury against Parma and is a doubt. So, Gabriel Strefezza - who has five goals and four assists in Serie A this season - could return to the starting XI after his decisive contribution last week; Maxence Caqueret would drop into a deeper role.
Troubled by a foot problem, Tasos Douvikas started on the bench, but he should now be ready to compete with Patrick Cutrone to lead the Lariani's attack.
Aside from main marksman Roberto Piccoli, Cagliari's main threat has come from Nadir Zortea. Following his recent strike against Udinese, the versatile wide man has scored six league goals so far - two more than he managed in the last three campaigns combined.
Colombian centre-back Yerry Mina is the Rossoblu's only confirmed absentee, but Florinel Coman has been training separately due to an Achilles issue, while Alessandro Deiola and Gianluca Gaetano continue to play through minor niggles.
Como possible starting lineup:
Butez; Vojvoda, Goldaniga, Kempf, Valle; Perrone, Caqueret; Ikone, Paz, Strefezza; Cutrone
Cagliari possible starting lineup:
Caprile; Zappa, Palomino, Luperto; Zortea, Adopo, Makoumbou, Prati, Augello; Luvumbo, Piccoli
We say: Como 2-0 Cagliari
Given Como's current form, plus Cagliari's continuing struggles on the mainland, the hosts should rack up six league wins on the spin.
Aided by wealthy owners, Cesc Fabregas has assembled a competitive squad at the Sinigaglia, where his team have been at their very best.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Jonathan O'Shea
