Cagliari

Ivo Pulga is eyeing the unlikeliest of assaults on the top half of the table after stabilising Cagliari's terrible run over recent weeks. A vital victory over Genoa was followed up by a fractious draw at Atalanta and the islanders could climb as many as three places up the table if they can beat Palermo. After the 1-1 at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia, Pulga said: "Another great performance. It was a shame to have conceded another goal from a set-piece, corners have become a real phobia of ours! We still had a great match at a difficult place and it was all the more difficult for the conditions of the field. We will continue as we are, hoping the results go our way and that we rewarded for our good performances. Even in the dark days, our style of football has guided us through and we have put on some great performances. Let's put bad luck behind us. We have another home game and we will prepare to the utmost against a direct rival. We could take a great leap up the table with a win." Lorenzo Ariaudo, Sebastian Eriksson and Nene are sidelined through injury but Pulga has no suspension to contend with. Cagliari have made trips to Sardinia very difficult for Palermo over recent years by claiming four wins and three draws from the last nine.