Catania vs Inter preview

March 2, 2013
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

Inter vs CataniaCatania are not only searching for their third victory on the bounce, but also hoping to climb to European places with three points from this match.

Inter cannot allow that to happen as it would see them drop out of the top 5, so no doubt a lot will be at stake when the two sides meet at Stadio Angelo Massimino.

The Elephants have been making constant progress over the last few years, but many believed they would not be able to do much better than a top half finish.

With talented boss Vincenzo Montella leaving for Fiorentina, the club from Sicily were predicted a difficult campaign, but they instead did even better than last term and are now in a position to fight for European qualification.

Boasting a 9-2-2 home record and having won their last two league fixtures, it is no wonder Catania are 2.50 (3/2) favourites with Coral to win this match.

Following back to back wins over Bologna and Parma, the Elephans will fancy their chances against severely weakened Inter.

Defenders Giuseppe Bellusci and Nicola Legrottaglie miss out through suspension, but Marco Biagianti and Sergio Almiron are again available for selection.

Pablo Barrientos remains sidelined through injury, meaning Lucas Castro is set to keep his place in the starting line-up.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Andujar – Alvarez, Rolin, Spolli, Marchese – Izco, Lodi, Biagianti – Castro, Bergessio, Gomez.

Some may be disappointed to see Inter struggling to remain in the Serie A top 5, but taking into account everything thrown their way this term, I believe they are doing pretty well.

Numerous departures in the summer and winter transfer windows certainly made life difficult for Andrea Stramaccioni, while constant injury problems did nothing to help team’s cause.

With the Neroazzurri still fighting on three fronts, they could face serious problems up front now that Diego Milito has been ruled out for the season, especially as both Philippe Coutinho and Marko Livaja left in January.

Antonio Cassano and Rodrigo Palacio are becoming tried from having played most of the games this season, which is why Stramaccioni could decide to rest one of them in favour of veteran Tommaso Rocchi.

Considering that the visitors face some defensive problems as well, I see no value in odds of 3.10 (21/10) offered at Paddy Poweron away win.

Andrea Ranocchia is out through suspension, whilst Yuto Nagatomo, Walter Samuel, Gabi Mudingayi, Joel Obi, Diego Milito and Luca Castellazzi remain in the infirmary.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-1-2): Handanovic – Zanetti, Jesus, Chivu, Pereira – Gargano, Kuzmanovic, Cambiasso – Guarin – Cassano, Rocchi.

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