In their first fixture since making history on home soil, Monza return to action on Sunday, as they visit fellow strugglers Sampdoria at Stadio Luigi Ferraris.

Under new management, the Biancorossi claimed their first-ever Serie A success at the expense of fallen giants Juventus just before the international break, and now aim for three more points against a team stuck at the foot of the standings.

Match preview

Just days after promotion-winning coach Giovanni Stroppa was sacked by ambitious Monza, having steered an expensively assembled side to just one point from six matches, his replacement in the Stadio Brianteo dugout made an immediate impact.

The inexperienced Raffaele Palladino was installed by the club's veteran ownership duo - former Milan supremos Silvio Berlusconi and Adriano Galliani - and began his new assignment in spectacular fashion: with a 1-0 victory over 36-time champions Juventus.

Since the Monza board have assured that former primavera coach Palladino's promotion to the top job is no short-term fix, he now has the chance to build on that success against 10-man Juve.

October's fixture list starts relatively kindly, too, as before the Biancorossi tackle a long-awaited Lombardy derby with Milan, they face Sampdoria, Spezia and Empoli; then current form side Udinese in the Coppa Italia second round.

Like Samp, they have scored only four times in the league so far - including Christian Gytkjaer's match-winner last time out - so posing more of a threat in the final third will be a priority for the new man in charge.

As several high-profile players arrived during the summer, expectations were high among both fans and owners before the season got under way, so Monza have plenty of catching-up to do if they are to live up to their billing.

Sampdoria will perhaps fear becoming their visitors' next victims, as they return from the international hiatus having endured an awful start to the season; leaving them two points and two places below their rookie opponents.

After seven rounds, Samp have picked up only two points, and in their top-flight history they have always tallied at least four after their first eight Serie A matches.

Though spirits were raised by draws against Juventus and Lazio, the Blucerchiati have been unable to get off the mark with a win, and their last victory came in the Coppa Italia, over Serie B opposition.

Now winless in their last eight league games stretching back to May, the last time they went on a longer such streak in Serie A was in 2013 - representing a problem that under-fire boss Marco Giampaolo soon needs to fix.

Languishing in the relegation zone, Samp surely face a season-long scrap for survival, and their coach - suspended from the touchline again this week - is under pressure to produce a turnaround if his second spell at the club is not to be cut short.

Team News

As they search for an elusive first victory, Sampdoria's defensive options will be bolstered by the return of Omar Colley from injury, and the Gambia international should feature at the heart of their back four.

A late loan recruit in the transfer window, Harry Winks has made progress in his recovery from an ankle problem, and has joined in some aspects of full training. However, Sunday's game comes too soon for the former England midfielder.

While Marco Giampaolo - who is again absent from the touchline through suspension - often employs a cautious 4-1-4-1 formation, the prospect of pairing fit-again Manolo Gabbiadini with Francesco Caputo up front could prompt a change in his thinking, particularly as goals have been in short supply of late.

Monza, meanwhile, travel without veteran defender Andrea Ranocchia - recently sidelined by a serious injury - as the ex-Inter man has announced his retirement from football.

Two former Samp players will return to Marassi, though, as midfielder Stefano Sensi and striker Gianluca Caprari should both start. The latter has previously scored three times against the hosts in Serie A, having made 73 appearances and scored 14 goals during his spell in Genoa.

Caprari could join Dany Mota in attack, as Andrea Petagna remains doubtful, though Christian Gytkjaer will hope his heroics against Juventus earn him a place up front instead.

Sampdoria possible starting lineup:
Audero; Bereszynski, Colley, Ferrari, Augello; Villar; Sabiri, Rincon, Djuricic; Gabbiadini, Caputo

Monza possible starting lineup:
Di Gregorio; Marlon, Mari, Izzo; Ciurria, Rovella, Sensi, Augusto; Pessina; Mota, Caprari

We say: Sampdoria 1-1 Monza

Given both sides' failings in the final third, goals may not flow freely, but the chance to take three points off likely relegation rivals may bring them out of their shells. With the feelgood factor still in play, Monza can extend their unbeaten run to a third game; leaving Samp still seeking their first win.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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