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Serie A Preview: Cagliari – Catania
The Rossoblu continue their European pursuit as they host an in-form Sicilian side on matchday 30...
| Bet: | Returns: | Cesena £24.00 | Draw £31.00 | Catania £30.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Cesena £27.00 | Draw £31.00 | Catania £27.00 |
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| Bet: | Returns: | Cesena £25.00 | Draw £31.00 | Catania £29.00 |
|
| Bet: | Returns: | Cesena £24.00 | Draw £31.00 | Catania £28.00 |
|
Apr 3, 2009 6:17:54 AM
Kick-off: Sunday, April 5, 2009, 1500 CET. Stadio Sant’Elia, Cagliari.
Despite the five points separating the two teams in Serie A, Catania are in better touch than Cagliari as they prepare to clash on Sunday afternoon.
The home team have in fact won just one of their past five league matches and suffered two defeats, albeit against Milan and Genoa. However, just before the break they obtained three precious points against Bologna which allowed them to remain within reach of a Europa League spot for next season.
In fact, Roma are just four points away and even though the Giallorossi remain favourites to hold on to their lead over the Rossoblu, Cagliari have proven this season that they are a team to be reckoned.
Still, one must not exclude Catania from the equation. After a slow start to the new year, they have recovered well and recorded three wins, one draw and a defeat in their last five league games, including victories against Lazio and Palermo.
Coach Walter Zenga has definitely done a good job with a team who have battled relegation deep into the final matchdays in season past. This term, with just nine games remaining, they have a 13-point lead over the bottom three and are theoretically just three points away from securing safety.
Past Encounters
Not too many matches have been played recently at the Sant'Elia stadium between these two teams, as over the past ten years there have only been four games.
The visitors actually have the better record in this fixture, having obtained two wins, one draw and a defeat.
The last game in this stadium was played in October 2007, with the match ending in a 1-1 draw.
FORM GUIDE
Cagliari
Mar 22 Bologna 0-1 Cagliari (SERIE A)
Mar 14 Cagliari 0-1 Genoa (SERIE A)
Mar 08 Chievo 1-1 Cagliari(SERIE A)
Mar 01 Cagliari 0-0 Torino (SERIE A)
Feb 22 Milan 1-0 Cagliari (SERIE A)
Catania
Mar 21 Catania 1-0 Lazio (SERIE A)
Mar 15 Udinese 1-1 Catania (SERIE A)
Mar 08 Catania 0-3 Siena (SERIE A)
Mar 01 Palermo 0-4 Catania (SERIE A)
Feb 22 Catania 2-0 Reggina (SERIE A)
TEAM NEWS
Cagliari
No player is suspended for the home side, but Mancosu is sidelined and will therefore not be part of this game. Conti, Acquafresca and Lazzari need to be careful not to be shown a yellow card in order to play in the next league match.
Probable Formation (4-3-1-2): Marchetti, Pisano, Lopez, Canini, Agostini, Fini, Conti, Biondini, Cossu, Acquafresca, Jeda
Catania
D'Amico is injured, whereas Ledesma and Martinez are suspended for the Sicilian side. Bizzarri, Paolucci, Mascara, Morimoto, Capuano and Silvestre are all carrying a yellow card into this game.
Probable Formation (4-4-2): Bizzarri, Potenza, Silvestre, Stovini, Capuano, Izco, Carboni, Biagianti, Tedesco, Paolucci, Mascara
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Cagliari
Despite an overall good squad performance during this season, striker Robert Acquafresca remains the main threat for any opposition of the Rossoblu. The young attacker has scored 10 goals this season and will be hoping to improve his record in these final nine matchdays.
Catania
Giuseppe Mascara has scored nine goals this year, but some of these have been real gems, including the half-pitch lob against Palermo which will surely rank among the very best goals of the season. His technical abilities can sway the game in favour of his side at any point of the match.
PREDICTION
Both teams well clear of the relegation fight, but the home side have another target as they are just four points behind a European place. Therefore, Cagliari will be more motivated to win this encounter.
Cagliari 2-0 Catania
Glenn Debattista
Despite the five points separating the two teams in Serie A, Catania are in better touch than Cagliari as they prepare to clash on Sunday afternoon.
The home team have in fact won just one of their past five league matches and suffered two defeats, albeit against Milan and Genoa. However, just before the break they obtained three precious points against Bologna which allowed them to remain within reach of a Europa League spot for next season.
In fact, Roma are just four points away and even though the Giallorossi remain favourites to hold on to their lead over the Rossoblu, Cagliari have proven this season that they are a team to be reckoned.
Still, one must not exclude Catania from the equation. After a slow start to the new year, they have recovered well and recorded three wins, one draw and a defeat in their last five league games, including victories against Lazio and Palermo.
Coach Walter Zenga has definitely done a good job with a team who have battled relegation deep into the final matchdays in season past. This term, with just nine games remaining, they have a 13-point lead over the bottom three and are theoretically just three points away from securing safety.
Past Encounters
Not too many matches have been played recently at the Sant'Elia stadium between these two teams, as over the past ten years there have only been four games.
The visitors actually have the better record in this fixture, having obtained two wins, one draw and a defeat.
The last game in this stadium was played in October 2007, with the match ending in a 1-1 draw.
FORM GUIDE
Cagliari
Mar 22 Bologna 0-1 Cagliari (SERIE A)
Mar 14 Cagliari 0-1 Genoa (SERIE A)
Mar 08 Chievo 1-1 Cagliari(SERIE A)
Mar 01 Cagliari 0-0 Torino (SERIE A)
Feb 22 Milan 1-0 Cagliari (SERIE A)
Catania
Mar 21 Catania 1-0 Lazio (SERIE A)
Mar 15 Udinese 1-1 Catania (SERIE A)
Mar 08 Catania 0-3 Siena (SERIE A)
Mar 01 Palermo 0-4 Catania (SERIE A)
Feb 22 Catania 2-0 Reggina (SERIE A)
TEAM NEWS
Cagliari
No player is suspended for the home side, but Mancosu is sidelined and will therefore not be part of this game. Conti, Acquafresca and Lazzari need to be careful not to be shown a yellow card in order to play in the next league match.
Probable Formation (4-3-1-2): Marchetti, Pisano, Lopez, Canini, Agostini, Fini, Conti, Biondini, Cossu, Acquafresca, Jeda
Catania
D'Amico is injured, whereas Ledesma and Martinez are suspended for the Sicilian side. Bizzarri, Paolucci, Mascara, Morimoto, Capuano and Silvestre are all carrying a yellow card into this game.
Probable Formation (4-4-2): Bizzarri, Potenza, Silvestre, Stovini, Capuano, Izco, Carboni, Biagianti, Tedesco, Paolucci, Mascara
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Cagliari
Despite an overall good squad performance during this season, striker Robert Acquafresca remains the main threat for any opposition of the Rossoblu. The young attacker has scored 10 goals this season and will be hoping to improve his record in these final nine matchdays.
Catania
Giuseppe Mascara has scored nine goals this year, but some of these have been real gems, including the half-pitch lob against Palermo which will surely rank among the very best goals of the season. His technical abilities can sway the game in favour of his side at any point of the match.
PREDICTION
Both teams well clear of the relegation fight, but the home side have another target as they are just four points behind a European place. Therefore, Cagliari will be more motivated to win this encounter.
Cagliari 2-0 Catania
Glenn Debattista
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