An intense match should be in store at the Stadio Olimpico, as relegation-threatened Torino and bottom-of-the-table Cagliari face-off.

Torino in the Trenches

Torino have collected just five points from their first six Serie A matches, but currently that is enough to see them two points above the relegation zone. It seems as if the Granata will be involved in the relegation battle once again as they continue where they left off last season.

Torino have had to do without their most influential player, Alessandro Rosina. The talented playmaker has not played since the week-three match against Inter and is unlikely to take part in this match either. He has been linked with Tottenham over the past few days, but the player himself has denied he will move away from his beloved Torino.

One feels that the return of Rosina could be a massive boost for the club, as the potential of an attacking trident featuring ‘Rosinaldo’, veteran Nicola Amoruso and hit-man Rolando Bianchi could be very high and cause plenty of problems for opposition backlines.

With the high-profile Turin derby against Juventus following this one, Torino coach Gianni De Biasi will be hoping to go into that match with a win over Cagliari behind them, not only for the cushion of points, but so his team will have some confidence when playing against the Bianconeri.

Cagliari Can’t Score

If Torino were considered to be struggling, than Cagliari’s situation is simply dire. The Sardinian side have not yet registered a win and in fact have only scored one goal in six games. The good news is that they did claim their first point of the season in a goalless draw with in-form AC Milan on Matchday Six.

Massimiliano Allegri is under considerable pressure and some fans have called for him to be sacked already, but the club have not been playing terrible football and president Massimo Cellino seems to have faith in the former Sassuolo manager for the time being.

Allegri will need to generate some offense quickly if he wants to keep his post as head coach. The positive aspect of this task is he has plenty of talent to work with. Inter-owned striker Robert Acquafresca proved he can be a force to reckon with last season with both Cagliari and the Italy U-21 side. Meanwhile Joaquin Larrivey, Alessandro Matri and Jeda all certainly are capable of making a difference on their day.

With both squads starting the season in relatively poor fashion, they will have used the international break wisely to work hard in an effort to turn things around, starting with this match.

FORM GUIDE

Torino

5 October (Serie A): Udinese 2-0 Torino

1 October (Coppa Italia): Torino 3-2 Livorno (AET)

28 September (Serie A): Torino 1-3 Lazio

24 September (Serie A): Chievo 1-1 Torino

21 September (Serie A): Torino 1-3 Inter

Cagliari

5 October (Serie A): Cagliari 0-0 Milan

24 September (Serie A):  Atalanta 1-0 Cagliari

21 September  (Serie A): Cagliari 0-1 Juventus

17 September (Coppa Italia): Reggina 4-0 Cagliari

14 September (Serie A): Siena 2-0 Cagliari

TEAM NEWS

Torino

De Biasi has just a couple of injury worries to contend with. Young French forward Dominique Malonga is definitely not taking part in proceedings. Rosina is nearly ready to return but is unlikely to be risked before the Turin derby against Juventus on Matchday Eight.

The Granata have no suspensions, but former Empoli defender Francesco Pratali is in yellow card difficulty. Thus, he may be rested as De Biasi will want to make sure Pratali can play against La Vecchia Signora in the following match.

Probable Starting XI: Sereni -  Di Loreto, Natali, Rubin -  Diana, Zanetti, Dzemaili, Saumel - Abate, Amoruso - Bianchi

Cagliari

Massimilliano Allegri has been confirmed as head coach for the time being, but every poor result will bring him closer to being sacked. The former Sassuolo coach can be relatively pleased that he has nearly his entire squad at his disposal, the sole omission being 23-year-old defender Michele Cannini who is injured. Captain Daniele Conti and playmaker Andrea Cossu are in yellow card difficulty.

Up front, Joaquin Larrivey should retain his place in the line-up, beating out Jeda and Matri as the one to partner Italy U-21 striker Robert Acquafresca.

Probable Starting XI: Marchetti - Pisano, Lopez, Bianco, Agostini - Biondini, Conti, Fini, Cossu - Larrivey, Acquafresca

PLAYERS TO WATCH

21-year-old Ignazio Abate has been tasked with filling in for the missing Alessandro Rosina in the Torino line-up. The attacking midfielder scored for the Italy U-21 side in the 3-1 victory over Israel on Wednesday and the Milan youth product will be keen to show he has what it takes in Serie A as well.

Cagliari have had trouble finding the net the season, only scoring once. Despite not playing terrible football, goals will be needed if Cagliari are to save themselves, so Robert Acquafresca and Joaquin Larrivey will need to start clicking and scoring goals sooner rather than later if Cagliari are to survive.

PREDICTION

With both teams struggling at the moment, a close match would seem to be on the cards, but the home advantage should just be enough for Torino to shade this encounter against an unlucky Cagliari side.

Torino 2-1 Cagliari