Serie A Preview: Palermo – Catania

The Sicilian derby takes place in Palermo this weekend, as the Rosanero host Catania in what is certain to be a fiery affair in the south of Italy.

Kick-Off: Saturday 1 March, 15:00 CET. Renzo Barbera Stadium, Palermo.

European Football On Palermo’s Agenda

Palermo had an outstanding start to 2009, as they managed to win their first three matches of the year, against Atalanta, Sampdoria and Udinese respectively. Since then however, their results and form have gone from bad to worse, with just one win and three goals recorded in their past five outings.
Despite their inconsistency of late, the Rosanero still find themselves in the top half of the table, and in a position where they can challenge for European football next term.
In fact, the home side in this match are seven points adrift of the sixth placed Roma, the team that occupies the sixth and final European qualifying position. In addition to this, just one point separates them and the seventh placed Cagliari, a position that will guarantee a club a spot in Europe next season, if Inter and Juventus are to make the Coppa Italia final.
With this in mind, Davide Ballardini’s men will be desperate to win this contest, to ensure that they maintain the pace with Cagliari, as well as Atalanta, who they currently are equal on points with.
Fortunately for their sake, this weekend’s Sicilian derby is scheduled to be played at the Renzo Barbera stadium in Palermo, a ground that has become a fortress for the club, as they have recorded nine wins, no draws and only three defeats this season.
This should give them enough confidence in the lead up to the match; however they will need to be switched on for the entire 90 minutes against their fierce rivals, if they are to attain a positive result this weekend.

Catania Edging Closer To Drop Zone

Catania were one of the surprise packets in the first half of the campaign, as they managed to comfortably sit in the top half of the table towards the end of 2008. Since then however, they have dropped off completely, and consequently their position in the standings has worsened.
At present, the Sicilian outfit are in thirteenth place, just eight points clear of the relegation zone, and although they may not be in danger of losing their topflight status at this point in time, a few more negative results may very well change that.
In addition to this, their form this year has been disastrous, so the signs are not looking good for them. In fact, last weekend’s 2-0 victory over the cellar dwellers Reggina was to be their first of 2009, after they had failed to do so in their opening seven fixtures.
Their most impressive results this term have come in front of their own fans, although unfortunately for their sake, this particular match will be played away from their Angelo Massimiliano stadium.
Their away form this season has been dreadful to say the least, so the Rossazzurri will certainly not be confident heading into this encounter with a team that has one of the best home records to their name.
In fact, in 12 matches on the road thus far, Walter Zenga’s men have managed just six goals and zero victories. In addition to this they have recorded five draws along the way; however the main issue for the club is that they have the worst traveling record in the competition.
With this in mind, a draw would be an acceptable result for the visitors in this match, as Zenga and his players will certainly be aware of the fact that their opponents simply must win, as they can ill afford to lose more ground in the race for European qualification.
Catania defeated Palermo earlier in the season by a 2-0 score line, and if they can play half as well as they did on that day, then anything could be possible at the Renzo Barbera stadium this weekend.

FORM GUIDE

Palermo

February 21 v Juventus (H) LOST 0-2
February 15 v Reggina (A) DREW 0-0
February 8 v Napoli (H) WON 2-1
February 1 v Genoa (A) LOST 0-1
January 28 v Roma (H) LOST 1-2

Catania

February 22 v Reggina (H) WON 2-0
February 15 v Chievo (A) DREW 1-1
February 8 v Juventus (H) LOST 1-2
February 1 v Atalanta (H) LOST 0-1
January 28 v Inter (H) LOST 2-0

TEAM NEWS

Palermo:

The news on the injury front is fairly positive for the Rosanero, as they are only without Levan Mchedlidze and the long term casualty Igor Budan. Ballardini is likely to employ his traditional 4-3-1-2 formation that has worked wonders for his team this season, with Fabio Simplicio playing in behind Fabrizio Miccoli and Edison Cavani up front.
Possible Starting XI – (4-3-1-2): Amelia; Cassani, Kjaer, Bovo, Balzaretti; Nocerino, Liverani, Bresciano; Simplicio; Cavani, Miccoli.

Catania:

Walter Zenga has a full strength squad available for the Sicilian derby, as there are no injuries or suspensions to deal with for his side. A whole host of players are one booking away from a one match ban however, and so they will have to be careful this weekend. These players include Albano Bizzarri, Pablo Ledesma, Jorge Andres Martinez, Giuseppe Mascara, Michele Paolucci and Takayuki Morimoto, the last three of which are in line to head the Catania attack in this match.
Possible Starting XI – (4-3-3): Bizzarri; Potenza, Silvestre, Stovini, Capuano; Biagianti, Ledesma, Tedesco; Morimoto, Paolucci, Mascara.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Palermo – Fabrizio Miccoli: The Rosanero hitman is going to need to be at his best to ensure that his side achieve their desired outcome this weekend. Despite their opponent’s inconsistent form at present, Miccoli will be aware that Catania will be as motivated as ever to perform well in this match, so the 29-year-old veteran must lead from the front right from the onset.

Catania – Albano Bizzarri: The Argentinean goal keeper has been simply spectacular this season, and he will need to put in another outstanding performance if his side are to take anything away from this contest. Palermo have been brilliant at the Renzo Barbera this term, as they have managed 23 goals in 12 matches, and because of Catania’s inability to score on the road, the 31-year-old must be switched on from the word go.

PREDICTION

This match is certain to be a fiery affair, between two sides that will be desperate to claim victory for differing reasons. The Rosanero need a victory to enhance their chances of qualifying for Europe next season, whilst the Etnei require the three points to calm their relegation fears. For that reason I am expecting this one to end all square, with Miccoli and Paolucci finding the back of the net in the process.

Palermo 1-1 Catania

Adrian Del Monte, Goal.com