In a clash between two teams at the wrong end of the Serie A table, Spezia host Cremonese at Stadio Alberto Picco on Sunday.
The home side currently occupy 15th place, while the visitors are finding it even tougher and sit in 19th.
After avoiding relegation by a mere six points last season, Spezia are looking likely to again find themselves embroiled in a battle at the wrong end of the table.
That is if their current form continues, having only won two of their opening nine fixtures, a record that leaves them just three points above the relegation zone.
In fairness to the Aquilotti though, their opening fixtures have been tough, travelling to Inter Milan, Juventus and Napoli in their first three away games this season, games that they could not have been expected to get much from.
Last time out however, Luca Gotti‘s side struggled against a comparatively weaker opponent, losing 2-0 away at newly-promoted Monza, and only mustering up one shot on target in the whole match.
It will be a relief to be back on home soil, where Spezia are actually undefeated so far this season, picking up all eight of their total points at Stadio Alberto Picco, with a record of two wins and three draws.
In contrast, there have been no real positive signs for Cremonese so far, managing to acquire just three points from their opening nine games.
Having been promoted back to Serie A last season after a 26-year absence, it was always going to be tough for the Lombardy side, and a winless record leaves them second from bottom, above Sampdoria on goals scored.
After losing their opening four games, Massimiliano Alvini started to get more out of his side as they adjusted to life in Italy’s top flight, picking up a draw against Sassuolo, and then a very impressive point away at second-place Atalanta BC.
Following this uptick in performance, the Grigiorossi were very unfortunate not to beat Lecce, dominating large parts of the match but unable to convert their chances, drawing 1-1.
Struggling last time out, losing 4-1 to top-of-the-table Napoli, Cremonese need to start winning matches very soon or they risk being cut adrift in the relegation zone, already four points from safety at this early stage.
