Genoa vs Palermo preview - Preziosi confident over survival hopes

Genoa president Enrico Preziosi is confident his team will not suffer the same destiny as Sampdoria when they host Palermo.

The Grifoni go into the final game of the campaign needing a point to defend their Serie A status.

Palermo were responsible for condemning Genoa's city neighbours Sampdoria to the second tier last season.

"I feel very confident that we can avoid relegation," Preziosi said to Gazzetta dello Sport.

Should Genoa lose on Sunday, Lecce could leapfrog them into the final position of safety provided the Salentini beat Chievo in Verona.

Lecce are in the relegation zone, three points behind Genoa.

Both teams are level on head-to-head record but Lecce would have the edge on goal difference.

However, Preziosi does not anticipate such a scenario.

"There is a different atmosphere in the team with respect to the past weeks," Preziosi said.

"I no longer see that fear and anxiety that paralysed my players.

"I see more smiles, a lot of determination and a will to improve."

Genoa have endured a dismal campaign and have mustered just one win in their last 15 games.

Last weekend's 2-0 defeat at Udinese was their 18th loss of the campaign.

Moreover, the Grifoni have the leakiest defence in the competition with 69 goals conceded in 37 games.

Sunday's game at the Luigi Ferraris stadium will be played behind closed doors as punishment for unruly scenes caused by Genoa fans in a match against Siena last month.

Genoa coach Luigi De Canio will be without midfielder Juraj Kucka and striker Rodrigo Palacio, both suspended.

Palacio's absence is a big blow for Genoa as the Argentinian is the team's top scorer this season with 19 goals.

Rivals Palermo travel to the mainland looking for only their second win on the road this season.

Last weekend's 4-4 draw with Chievo extended Palermo's winless run to seven games and left the Sicilian outfit in 15th place.

Palermo coach Bortolo Mutti, who was appointed in December as a replacement for the sacked Devis Mangia, announced this week he would leave the club in the summer.