Cesena vs Atalanta preview - Colucci expects tough test

Cesena captain Giuseppe Colucci has reminded his team-mates of the need to grind out results to ensure Serie A survival ahead of the home match against Atalanta.

The Cavallucci Marini lie third-bottom in the table, four points adrift of safety after 19 games played.

Cesena suffered their fourth defeat in five games in last weekend's 5-1 loss at Roma.

"On Sunday against Atalanta we have to give all that we have to take three points in our battle to avoid the drop," Colucci said. "Atalanta, like us, will fight to defend their Serie A status and it's going to be a complicated game from start to finish."

The hosts, coached by Daniele Arrigoni, will have their work cut out as Atalanta travel to the Dino Manuzzi stadium desperate to clinch their first win on the road since beating Parma 2-1 on October 24.

Atalanta will have to show a vast improvement in front of goal if they are to clinch their seventh win of the campaign.

The Bergamaschi have failed to score in their last three league games.

Last weekend's 2-0 loss to Juventus was their third straight defeat and dropped Atalanta to 15th place, five points clear of Cesena. Atalanta coach Stefano Colantuono could hand Alessandro Carrozza his debut this weekend.

The Italian midfielder joined Atalanta on loan from Varese this week.

The visitors will be without defenders Gianpaolo Bellini and Daniele Capelli as well as midfielder Matteo Brighi, all out injured.

However, they are hoping to recover the team's leading scorer German Denis in time for Sunday's game.

Argentinian forward Denis, who has struck 12 league goals so far, sustained a thigh injury in training this week and is doubtful.