Two sides suffering with the fallout from COVID-19 outbreaks - and subsequently suffering form - meet at the Marassi on Saturday evening.
Eleventh-placed Genoa welcome Inter Milan, whose recent dip in form has seen the momentum from last term's excellent Serie A finish squandered, in the hope that several players' return from quarantine can help stem a tide of Inter attacks.
Match preview
Last month, Il Grifone had to postpone their fixture with Torino after 22 players and members of staff tested positive, though they are now seeing a number of those affected return to the fold.
Inter, meanwhile, confirmed that summer signing Achraf Hakimi was the latest of their players required to self-isolate, just prior to their Champions League draw with Borussia Monchengladbach on Wednesday. On Friday, however, Hakimi returned a negative test.
Genoa's 0-0 draw against Verona last week - for which they had to thank goalkeeper Mattia Perin's numerous saves - followed a crushing 6-0 defeat to Napoli. The only win, so far, for Rolando Maran's men has been against lowly Crotone on the opening day.
Perin - on loan from Juventus - is one short of 50 clean sheets in Serie A, but will fear that Saturday evening's game is not the most likely time to achieve that feat. Inter's defence may be in flux, but their attacking threat is far from undimmed.
Romelu Lukaku scored another double against Gladbach, in saving a 2-2 Group B draw. This followed the bitterest 'consolation' goal he could possibly register - in the gut-wrenching derby defeat to AC Milan last week.
However, the Belgian goal machine's laudable efforts are being undermined by a defence which has suffered from a lack of continuity, conceding 10 goals in their first five games.
The loss of Alessandro Bastoni and Milan Skriniar has indisputably contributed to such a rate - Conte's side having let in less than a goal a game in 2019-20.
Employing both Hakimi and Ivan Perisic as wing-backs can also be considered a move that has not paid off for the ex-Azzurri coach.
Ashley Young and Victor Moses may not be everyone's idea of stellar squad members, but certainly offered far more in terms of defensive cover and balance to the side.
Recent history is firmly on the side of the visitors this time, with the Nerazzurri having won their last four Serie A outings versus Genoa - by a remarkable aggregate score of 16-0.
Therefore, the Rossoblu can only hope that Inter's midweek exertions will tire an opposition eager to make up lost ground to their city rivals.
Undoubtedly, ex-Inter man Goran Pandev will have an eye on notching another goal against his former team and - given their current defensive woes - it would take a brave person to bet against the wily Macedonian forward doing so.
The last draw in this fixture came back in May 2013 - some 14 games ago. Only the most optimistic of the 1,000 home fans permitted to attend Stadio Luigi Ferraris would not accept such a result on Saturday with open arms.
Genoa Serie A form: WLD
Inter Milan Serie A form: WWDL
Inter Milan form (all competitions): WWDLD
Team News
Genoa coach Maran can welcome back the majority of his players from their recent quarantine measures. Francesco Cassata, skipper Domenico Criscito, Mattia Destro, Lukas Lerager and on-loan Davide Zappacosta all return to the squad.
Centre-back Mattia Bani and ex-Juventus midfielder Stefano Sturaro, however, are out through injury. Well-travelled striker Mattia Destro should now be ready to provide cover for the front two though.
Back-up forward Alexis Sanchez is likely to be missing for Inter, having been withdrawn early while on Champions League duty - as was Matias Vecino.
Skriniar, Young and Roberto Gagliardini are still unavailable due to postive COVID-19 tests. Perisic and Matteo Darmian may take the wing-back roles if Hakimi does not receive the all-clear to play.
Genoa possible starting lineup:
Perin; Zapata, Goldaniga, Masiello; Ghiglione, Melegoni, Badelj, Zajc, Czyborra; Pandev, Scamacca
Inter Milan possible starting lineup:
Handanovic; D'Ambrosio, De Vrij, Bastoni; Darmian, Barella, Brozovic, Vidal, Perisic; Lukaku, Martinez
We say: Genoa 1-2 Inter Milan
Saturday's game provides an ideal opportunity for Inter to kick-start their season at the expense of their recent whipping boys, Genoa.
As both sides employ largely similar 3-5-2 setups, the Milan giants can take advantage of their greater individual quality man-for-man to register a much-needed away win at the Marassi.
Top betting tip
Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting an away win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Away Win:databody check tags ::
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