Serie A Preview: Palermo – Udinese

The Sicilians are trying to make it three wins in a row, while more than just three points could be on the line for Zebrette coach Pasquale Marino...

Oct 23, 2009 11:00:44 AM

More On :  Palermo, Udinese
Miccoli-Cavani - Livorno-Palermo - Serie A (Getty Images)
Kick-off: Sunday, October 25 2009. 15:00 CET.
Stadio Renzo Barbera, Palermo.

The Start Of A Winning Streak?

While coach Walter Zenga was not so long ago being criticised for a lacklustre start to the season, wins over Juventus and Livorno have seemingly made people forgive and forget.
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Those successes propelled Palermo into the top half of the standings, but more will be expected from the Rosanero as the weeks continue to go by because they aim for a place in the Europa League next year.

A key absence will be suspended centre-back Simon Kjaer, whose performances have attracted the interest of top clubs like Juventus, Manchester United and Liverpool over the past few months. The Dane has been a steadying presence for the back line, but Zenga will have to find a way to cope without him.

On home ground, the crowd will certainly be behind their team at the Barbera to create a fiery atmosphere, but they will also demand a full three points against a struggling Zebrette outfit.

Marino's Job On The Line?

Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the spectrum, Udinese are trying to avoid their third straight loss.

Reports are floating around that president Giampaolo Pozzo is extremely disappointed with coach Pasquale Marino after the two recent losses to Inter and Atalanta. With his job now on the line, Marino will be keen to get his side firing on all cylinders again.

Marino has converted to a 4-4-2 formation this year that initially paid dividends but has struggled to create recently. Nonetheless, he is unlikely to make any tactical changes for the clash in Sicily.

Prolific striker Antonio Di Natale only managed a substitute appearance against Atalanta due to an injury, but he is expected to start against the Rosanero and add that extra spark up front. The 32-year-old leads the Serie A scoring charts with nine strikes this season.


FORM GUIDE

Palermo

October 18 v Livorno (A) – WON 2-1 (Serie A)

October 4 v Juventus (H) – WON 2-0 (Serie A)

September 27 v Lazio (A) – DREW 1-1 (Serie A)

September 23 v Roma (H) – DREW 3-3 (Serie A)

September 20 v Parma (A) – LOST 1-0 (Serie A)

Udinese

October 18 v Atalanta (H) – LOST 3-1 (Serie A)

October 3 v Inter (A) – LOST 2-1 (Serie A)

September 27 v Genoa (H) – WON 2-0 (Serie A)

September 23 v Milan (H) – WON 1-0 (Serie A)

September 19 v Napoli (A) – DREW 0-0 (Serie A)


TEAM NEWS

Palermo

As previously mentioned, Kjaer is suspended. Meanwhile, striker Levan Mchedlidze and veteran midfielders Giovanni Tedesco and Fabio Liverani are also out. Young goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu, who has just signed a new five-year deal, should replace Rubinho in the starting XI.

Starting XI (4-3-1-2): Sirigu; Cassani, Goian, Bovo, Balzaretti; Bresciano, Migliaccio, Simplicio; Pastore; Cavani, Miccoli.

Udinese

Marino has no disqualifications to worry about, but Christian Obodo and Damiano Ferronetti are out through injury. Antonio Floro Flores returns to take his place alongside Di Natale up front.

The Zebrette are likely to stick with a 4-4-2 formation, despite their loss last Sunday to Atalanta.

Starting XI (4-4-2): Handanovic; Basta, Coda, Domizzi, Lukovic; Sanchez, D’Agostino, Inler, Pepe; Floro Flores, Di Natale.


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Palermo

Palermo’s good results have coincided with the positive form of Fabrizio Miccoli. The diminutive striker recently revealed he considered quitting football while at Benfica, but what a tragedy that would have been!

Udinese

Midfielder Gaetano D’Agostino was a massive disappointment last week for Udinese. Indeed, he was in our Goal.com Serie A Worst Team of the Week. He’ll need to show some of the playmaking ability that caused coach Marcello Lippi to select him for the Italian national team.


PREDICTION

Both these teams play open, attacking football, so expect to see a few goals. Home advantage may favour Palermo, but after two straight defeats Udinese will put up a valiant effort.

Palermo 2-2 Udinese

Adam Scime, Goal.com
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