Posted on Friday, 27th January 2012 by Sumeet Paul Following their thrilling 5-3 win over Genoa last weekend, coach Bortolo Mutti is expected to keep faith with the same side. Eran Zahavi and Eros Pisano are close to returning but may not be risked this weekend, while Abel Hernandez (thigh) and Armin Bacinovic (knee) remain long-term absentees. The Rosanero’s home form continues to be impressive, with seven wins from nine games. After their 3-0 home defeat against Milan last weekend, Novara are now firmly rooted to the bottom of the table and are without a win in their last eight. Attilio Tesser’s side have yet to win away from home, with two draws and seven defeats, and have scored just six goals in the process. Andrea Caracciolo and former Catania ace Guiseppe Mascara are expected to lead the line in Sicily, while Massimo Paci and Paolo Hernan Dellafiore return from suspension. Carlo Alberto Ludi is still ruled out with an ankle injury. Probable Line-Ups: Palermo 4-3-1-2:  Viviano, Pisano, Silvestre, Mantovani, Balzaretti, Migliaccio, Donati, Barreto, Ilicic, Miccoli, Budan Subs;  Tzorvas, Aguirregaray, Munoz, Zahavi, Bertolo, Vazquez, Pinilla Novara 5-3-2:  Ujkani, Morganella, Rinaudo, Centurioni, Garcia, Gemiti, Porcari, Pesce, Rigoni, Caracciolo, Mascara Subs;  Fontana, Coubronne, Jensen, Marianini, Mazzarani, Morimoto, Rubino Form Guide:   Palermo: WLLDL 18/12/11 – Catania 2-0 Palermo 21/12/11 – Novara 2-2 Palermo 08/01/12 – Palermo 1-3 Napoli 15/01/12 – Chievo 1-0 Palermo 22/01/12 – Palermo 5-3 Genoa Novara: LLLDL 18/12/11 – Juventus 2-0 Novara 21/12/11 – Novara 2-2 Palermo 08/01/12 – Novara 0-3 Fiorentina 15/01/12 – Cesena 3-1 Novara 22/01/12 – Novara 0-3 Milan Top Goalscorers: Palermo; Miccoli – 6 Hernandez – 3 Novara; Rigoni – 6 Morimoto – 3 Assists: Palermo; Miccoli – 6 Ilicic – 4 Novara; Rigoni – 4 Mazzarani – 2 Head-to-Head: 21/12/11 – Novara 2-2 Palermo

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Palermo v Novara – Preview