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Serie A Preview: Palermo – Cagliari
European qualification is on the line in Sicily for these two sides level on points in the table...
| Bet: | Returns: | Cagliari £20.50 | Draw £32.00 | Palermo £37.50 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Cagliari £21.00 | Draw £31.00 | Palermo £37.50 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Cagliari £21.00 | Draw £32.00 | Palermo £32.50 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Cagliari £20.00 | Draw £32.50 | Palermo £39.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Cagliari £20.40 | Draw £31.00 | Palermo £35.00 |
|
May 1, 2009 6:19:29 AM
Kick-off: Sunday, 3 May 2009, 15:00 CET.
Stadio Renzo Barbera, Palermo.
Rosanero Desperate For Europe
Palermo were dismantled by AC Milan last weekend and will be looking to bounce back against Cagliari. From their point of view, there is no better time to recover as they face a direct rival for a spot in Europe next season.
The Sicilians and Sardinians both sit on 49 points in the table, occupying eighth and seventh place respectively. Even Roma are within reach, only three points ahead, and after disappointing in recent years Palermo have the chance to finally finish a season on a high note.
Veteran midfielder Fabio Liverani, who has been in good form during his first year at the club, has urged the fans back their team at this crucial juncture of the season.
"For us this is the game of the year, we need the fans' support at this moment and we would like [Stadio Renzo] Barbera full of people," he told the Gazzetta dello Sport.
"Cagliari are one of the revelations of the season. We both want to enter Europe and we will sacrifice ourselves to reach that goal."
Certainly, the Rosanero must put their inconsistency behind them for this match and prove they are worthy of a European place. However, their upstart opponents will not roll over.
Rossoblu Keep On Ticking
One might have expected Palermo to be fighting for a place in next season’s Europa League at the beginning of the season, but few would have predicted Cagliari to be doing the same.
The Sardinians were tipped as relegation candidates after losing their first five matches of the campaign, but they have rebounded in grand fashion. Coach Massimiliano Allegri’s exploits have seen the club earn nearly 50 points with five matches remaining, and as such he has recently been linked with the coaching positions at Milan and Roma.
The team are clicking and working well as a unit, winning three of their past five matches. They have been particularly impressive defensively, only conceding 34 goals so far thiseason. However, a majority of those (25) have been on their travels and Palermo have an enviable home record, with 12 wins at the Stadio Renzo Barbera.
Therefore, especially without veteran defender Diego Lopez, the Isolani will need to take care at the back against a dangerous offensive team like Palermo.
FORM GUIDE
Palermo
April 26 (Serie A): Milan 3-0 Palermo
April 19 (Serie A): Palermo 4-1 Bologna
April 11 (Serie A): Inter 2-2 Palermo
March 22 (Serie A): Chievo 1-0 Palermo
March 15 (Serie A): Palermo 5-2 Lecce
Cagliari
April 26 (Serie A): Sampdoria 3-3 Cagliari
April 19 (Serie A): Cagliari 2-0 Napoli
April 11 (Serie A): Fiorentina 2-1 Cagliari
April 05 (Serie A): Cagliari 1-0 Catania
March 22 (Serie A): Bologna 0-1 Cagliari
TEAM NEWS
Palermo
Australian midfielder Mark Bresciano is out injured. Meanwhile, the Rosanero have some defensive worries, as Moris Carrozzieri is facing a lengthy drug ban and Cesare Bovo is also suspended.
Probable Starting XI (4-4-2): Amelia – Cassani, Kjaer, Savini, Balzaretti – Nocerino, Liverani, Migliaccio, Simplico – Cavani, Miccoli
Cagliari
The previously mentioned Lopez must serve one more match of his ban before returning to the lineup after his scuffle with Fiorentina’s Felipe Melo. Youngsters Daniele Ragatzu and Daniele Magliocchetti are both injured.
Probable Starting XI (4-3-1-2): Marchetti – Pisano, Canini, Bianco, Agostini – Fini, Conti, Biondini – Cossu – Jeda, Acquafresca.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Palermo
Pocket-sized striker Fabrizio Miccoli was kept quiet against Milan, but he has the ability to turn a game on its head at any moment. There is no doubt he will pull a few tricks from up his sleeve in this crucial match. Also in the middle of contract negotiations, he’ll want to prove his worth to the club.
Cagliari
With Diego Lopez still suspended, the Cagliari defence looked vulnerable in the 3-3 draw with Sampdoria last weekend. Highly touted goalkeeper Federico Marchetti will likely be called into action quite a few times at the Renzo Barbera.
PREDICTION
With both sides after the same goal, they will know that dropping points would be a step in the wrong direction. Expect both teams to fight hard and walk away with a share of the spoils.
Palermo 2-2 Cagliari
Adam Scime, Goal.com
Rosanero Desperate For Europe
Palermo were dismantled by AC Milan last weekend and will be looking to bounce back against Cagliari. From their point of view, there is no better time to recover as they face a direct rival for a spot in Europe next season.
The Sicilians and Sardinians both sit on 49 points in the table, occupying eighth and seventh place respectively. Even Roma are within reach, only three points ahead, and after disappointing in recent years Palermo have the chance to finally finish a season on a high note.
Veteran midfielder Fabio Liverani, who has been in good form during his first year at the club, has urged the fans back their team at this crucial juncture of the season.
"For us this is the game of the year, we need the fans' support at this moment and we would like [Stadio Renzo] Barbera full of people," he told the Gazzetta dello Sport.
"Cagliari are one of the revelations of the season. We both want to enter Europe and we will sacrifice ourselves to reach that goal."
Certainly, the Rosanero must put their inconsistency behind them for this match and prove they are worthy of a European place. However, their upstart opponents will not roll over.
Rossoblu Keep On Ticking
One might have expected Palermo to be fighting for a place in next season’s Europa League at the beginning of the season, but few would have predicted Cagliari to be doing the same.
The Sardinians were tipped as relegation candidates after losing their first five matches of the campaign, but they have rebounded in grand fashion. Coach Massimiliano Allegri’s exploits have seen the club earn nearly 50 points with five matches remaining, and as such he has recently been linked with the coaching positions at Milan and Roma.
The team are clicking and working well as a unit, winning three of their past five matches. They have been particularly impressive defensively, only conceding 34 goals so far thiseason. However, a majority of those (25) have been on their travels and Palermo have an enviable home record, with 12 wins at the Stadio Renzo Barbera.
Therefore, especially without veteran defender Diego Lopez, the Isolani will need to take care at the back against a dangerous offensive team like Palermo.
FORM GUIDE
Palermo
April 26 (Serie A): Milan 3-0 Palermo
April 19 (Serie A): Palermo 4-1 Bologna
April 11 (Serie A): Inter 2-2 Palermo
March 22 (Serie A): Chievo 1-0 Palermo
March 15 (Serie A): Palermo 5-2 Lecce
Cagliari
April 26 (Serie A): Sampdoria 3-3 Cagliari
April 19 (Serie A): Cagliari 2-0 Napoli
April 11 (Serie A): Fiorentina 2-1 Cagliari
April 05 (Serie A): Cagliari 1-0 Catania
March 22 (Serie A): Bologna 0-1 Cagliari
TEAM NEWS
Palermo
Australian midfielder Mark Bresciano is out injured. Meanwhile, the Rosanero have some defensive worries, as Moris Carrozzieri is facing a lengthy drug ban and Cesare Bovo is also suspended.
Probable Starting XI (4-4-2): Amelia – Cassani, Kjaer, Savini, Balzaretti – Nocerino, Liverani, Migliaccio, Simplico – Cavani, Miccoli
Cagliari
The previously mentioned Lopez must serve one more match of his ban before returning to the lineup after his scuffle with Fiorentina’s Felipe Melo. Youngsters Daniele Ragatzu and Daniele Magliocchetti are both injured.
Probable Starting XI (4-3-1-2): Marchetti – Pisano, Canini, Bianco, Agostini – Fini, Conti, Biondini – Cossu – Jeda, Acquafresca.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Palermo
Pocket-sized striker Fabrizio Miccoli was kept quiet against Milan, but he has the ability to turn a game on its head at any moment. There is no doubt he will pull a few tricks from up his sleeve in this crucial match. Also in the middle of contract negotiations, he’ll want to prove his worth to the club.
Cagliari
With Diego Lopez still suspended, the Cagliari defence looked vulnerable in the 3-3 draw with Sampdoria last weekend. Highly touted goalkeeper Federico Marchetti will likely be called into action quite a few times at the Renzo Barbera.
PREDICTION
With both sides after the same goal, they will know that dropping points would be a step in the wrong direction. Expect both teams to fight hard and walk away with a share of the spoils.
Palermo 2-2 Cagliari
Adam Scime, Goal.com
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