Sampdoria vs Genoa preview - Genoa hit form ahead of derby

Genoa have recaptured some lost momentum at just the right time with a clash at city rivals Sampdoria coming up on Saturday.

The Grifoni ended a seven-match winless run with a 1-0 triumph at Lazio earlier this month and followed that result with a 5-2 demolition of Hellas Verona last Sunday.

That win lifted Genoa above Samp in the standings and into sixth place, with both teams on 35 points.

"We arrive at the derby in the best possible form," Genoa captain Nicolas Burdisso told Sky Italia. "Results are going our way and we have a great position in the standings.

"We have been playing well for some time but the victory against Hellas was something else.

"We have a wonderful team and the new players that arrived in January have really made an impact.

"Now we hope to give our fans some joy by winning a game that means so much to them and to us."

Genoa coach Gian PIero Gasperini is set to hand French striker M'baye Niang his second straight start.

The 20-year-old, who joined Genoa on loan from AC Milan during the winter transfer window, opened his goal tally with a double against Hellas.

Samp have yet to lose at the Luigi Ferraris stadium this season.

The Blucerchiati have enjoyed a strong campaign but have suffered a drop in form off late.

Samp have not come out on the winning side since January 18 and have collected two points since.

Last weekend's 2-1 defeat at Chievo was Samp's fourth reverse of the campaign.

"We are going through a delicate time but my players are training hard," Samp coach Sinisa Mihajlovic said. "I'm convinced that we will play a great derby."

Samp won 1-0 at Genoa in the Lantern derby back in September thanks to a goal from Italian striker Manolo Gabbiadini, who moved to Napoli last month.

The hosts welcome back striker Stefano Okaka from suspension and he will partner the team's leading scorer, Citadin Eder, in attack.