Serie A Preview: Sampdoria - Catania

Two mid-table sides, coming off entertaining 3-2 wins, take on one another at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris on Sunday afternoon.

Sampdoria Starting To Improve

Sampdoria started the season in very lacklustre fashion, but have since improved dramatically, pulling themselves out of relegation danger. The Blucerchiati have won three of their last four matches in Serie A by defeating Lecce, Torino, and Bologna.

Another good sign ahead of this match is that Walter Mazzarri’s men are still undefeated at home this season (interestingly, so are Genoa at the Marassi), so they will be confident of picking up some more points against Catania.

With the recent improvements one can see the slick style of play that Sampdoria showed last season creeping back into the side as the likes of Claudio Bellucci, Gennaro Delvecchio, Marius Stankevicius, and especially Antonio Cassano show what they are made of. Currently, the only key piece missing is midfielder Angelo Palombo, who is still nursing a long-term injury.

The real test will be if the Genoa-based club can hold their own in defense and create chances as Catania trump them in both departments. Sampdoria have scored just 10 goals this season and conceded 15, while the Sicilians have scored 14 and conceded just 11.

Catania Continuing Impressive Run

Contrary to their opponents, Catania started off their campaign in spectacular fashion, but have since slowed down a bit. However, they still have an impressive position in the standings and have won their last two matches against Torino and Cagliari.

The Etnei may not have the star players like some other Serie A sides have. Sampdoria have Cassano, Udinese have Antonio Di Natale, Genoa can boast top-scorer Diego Milito, but you will find no one with that kind of pedigree in the Catania line-up.

However, coach Walter Zenga has instilled determination and hard work into his side, along with some ingenuity as well and it has certainly paid dividends as the Sicilians have 21 points so far this season. Therefore, they are just six points behind the Serie A leaders, even though they are seventh in the standings.

FORM GUIDE

Sampdoria

16/11 (Serie A): Sampdoria 3-2 Lecce

12/11 (Coppa Italia): Sampdoria 2-1 Empoli

09/11 (Serie A): Napoli 2-0 Sampdoria

02/11 (Serie A): Sampdoria 1-0 Torino

26/10 (Serie A):  Sampdoria 2-0 Bologna

Catania

16/11 (Serie A): Catania 3-2 Torino

09/11 (Serie A): Catania 2-1 Cagliari

02/11 (Serie A): Lazio 1-0 Catania

29/10 (Serie A): Catania 0-2 Udinese

25/10 (Serie A): Siena 1-1 Catania

TEAM NEWS

Sampdoria

Walter Mazzari will again be without Angelo Palombo as he is still recovering from long-term injury. In defence, Marco Padalino will be missing as well, meaning Hugo Campagnaro and Stefano Lucchini fight it out for a spot in the three-man backline.

Probable Starting XI (3-5-2): Castellazzi –Campagnaro, Accardi, Gastadello – Francheschini, Dessena, Delvecchio, Stankevicius, Pieri – Bellucci, Cassano

Catania

Walter Zenga has barely any worries with regards to selection regarding this match; only striker Jorge Martinez is out because of injury.

Probable Starting XI (4-3-3): Bizzarri – Silvestri, Stovini, Silvestre, Sardo –Ledesma, Biagianti, Carboni  – Paolucci, Mascara, Izco

PLAYERS TO WATCH

As Antonio Cassano goes, so does Sampdoria. The player is always heavily involved in the fortune or misfortune of the Blucerchiati. He will be keen to prove himself yet again as he was left out of the national side once again by Marcello Lippi.

A five year servant of Catania, minus a one year loan-spell at Perugia, Giuseppe Mascara has scored slightly better than a goal every three matches for the Elefanti. If he can continue that kind of form for Catania year after year then he will surely become a club hero.

PREDICTION

A battle of two coaches called Walter, Mazzarri should have the edge being at home. The Elefanti have not had much luck at this stadium in the past and, although both teams are doing well at the moment, it seems Sampdoria are on the way up, while Catania are levelling off.

Sampdoria 2-1 Catania

Adam Scime