Cesena vs Palermo preview - Palermo look to end away-day blues

Palermo's hunt for a long overdue away win continues as they prepare to face Cesena at the Dino Manuzzi stadium on Sunday.

The Silician outfit has not won on the road in Serie A since beating AC Milan 2-0 on November 2.

With just four points - all from draws - collected away from Palermo since, Giuseppe Iachini's men have had to rely on home comfort to remain clear of the drop zone.

Last weekend's goalless draw against Empoli stretched Palermo's unbeaten home run to 10 league matches and lifted the islanders to 11th place, level on 34 points with Milan, who are 10th.

"We have to give continuity to this result," Palermo defender Roberto Vitiello told his club's official website. "It would be a big boost in confidence to take a win away from home as soon as possible.

"We know we face a stern test at Cesena but if we show the same hunger and determination as we show in our home games, there's no reason why we cannot take home three points."

Iachini's men showed an improvement against Empoli as they kept a clean sheet for the first time since January 6.

Cesena are 19th in the standings but will be no pushovers.

Just like Palermo, the Emilia-Romagna outfit are fighting to avoid the drop.

Cesena boosted their hopes of Serie A survival with a 1-0 win over Udinese last time out, a goal from Spanish forward Alejandro Rodriguez earning them only a fourth victory of the campaign.

The outcome allowed Domenico Di Carlo's side to close the gap on Atalanta, who hold the last position of safety, to four points.

"We know we face a difficult game against Palermo," Di Carlo said. "But our confidence has grown.

"If we show the same intensity that we displayed against Udinese, we have a fighting chance of defending our Serie A status."

Cesena are without defenders Stefano Lucchini and Massimo Volta as well as midfielder Luigi Giorgi, all suspended.

The visitors will be without defender Andrea Rispoli, who must serve a one-match ban.