Lecce vs Genoa preview - Lecce aim to extend resurgence

Lecce coach Serse Cosmi has urged his players to continue their fight for Serie A survival on Sunday when they host a Genoa side who have won just twice on the road this season.

The Salentini followed their 4-1 victory over Siena with a 2-1 triumph at Cagliari last time out. The result lifted Lecce to 18th place, just two points below Siena, who hold the last position of safety.

Lecce could climb out of the relegation zone this weekend if they beat Genoa and Siena fall against Cagliari in Tuscany.

"We are doing very well," said Cosmi, whose side is unbeaten in four games.

"But we cannot afford to take our foot off the pedal. My players have learned to suffer and that has been key to our good run of form.

"We just have to focus on ourselves and not on others."

Genoa, meanwhile, halted a run of three successive defeats with a 2-2 draw against Parma last weekend. A last-gasp equaliser from Rodrigo Palacio handed the Grifoni a valuable point and lifted the club to 13th place.

"It's a point that gives us a boost in confidence after our previous results," Genoa coach Pasquale Marino said.

"But we have to continue to work hard and improve."

Genoa are still without injured striker Alberto Gilardino, much to the disappointment of Genoa president Enrico Preziosi.

"Gilardino's absence has really hurt us," he said.

"Unfortunately, he will not be ready to play on Sunday. Gilardino has proved to be a very important player for us and we can't wait for him to return to play."

In the meantime, Ze Eduardo will partner Palacio up front and they will be tested by a Lecce defence that has given away just three goals in their last six league games.