Catania vs Torino

January 4, 2013
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

Catania remained in the top half of the standings in spite of the disappointing defeat to Pescara, with the Elephants now hoping to further improve their excellent home record by beating Torino. Granata did well to boost their survival chances by defeating Chievo at home, but they will have their work cut out for them at Stadio Angelo Massimino.

Gonzalo Bergessio ready to return

Catania have been on the major uptrend ever since they returned to the top flight in 2006 and it is only a matter of time before the team join the race for European places. The Elaphants remain one of the best home sides in the elite division, with all Serie A teams now dreading a trip to Stadio Angelo Massimino, while their showings on the road have improved great deal as well. Some shrewd transfer dealings ensure that the team remain competitive even when key personnel leaves the club, so nobody is really surprised to see the Elephants in the top half of the standings. Catania were in fine form just before the winter break, recording four straight victories before losing to Pescara, but it is important to note they were the better team at Stadio Adriatico. Having won all five home games against teams outside the top 7, while also trashing second-placed Lazio, Catania can be trusted to see off struggling Torino, especially as key attacker Gonzalo Bergessio returns to the side.

Gonzalo Bergessio has resumed full training, but Marco Biagianti, Pablo Alvarez, Takayuki Morimoto and Francesco Sciacca are unavailable.

Ogbonna and Santana miss out

Torino chiefs did their best to reinforce the squad after the club gained promotion to Serie A, and they seem to have done a decent job. Everybody knows that key to survival is a good record against relegation rivals and if Granata continue playing like this, they will have no problems avoiding he drop. Giamperio Ventura’s side have been thoroughly impressive in matches against fellow strugglers, which is the main reason why they are four points above the bottom three, but poor showings against top table sides cannot give them reason for optimism ahead of the clash with in-form Catania. With key players Angelo Ogbonna and Mario Santana missing through injury and top scorer Rolando Bianchi caught up in the transfer speculation, Torino are bound to struggle at one of the most inhospitable grounds in Italy’s top flight.

Mario Alberto Santana and Angelo Ogbonna are both out injured, while Riccardo Meggiorini is expected to partner Rolando Bianchi up front.

Verdict

Having beaten every team outside the top 7 at their Stadio Angelo Massimino, Catania look a good bet to continue their impressive home run against severely weakened Torino. Granata boast a terrible record against top table sides that is likely to get even worse after this match.

Top pick: Home win   2.00 (1/1) @ Sportingbet

Alternative pick 1: Catania to score two or more   2.20 (6/5) @ Coral

Alternative pick 2: Catania/Catania   3.25 (9/4) @ Paddy Power

We Highly Recommend These Places
Share your Opinion!