Juventus FC host Calcio Catania at Stadio Olimpico: Serie A fixture – Preview
Luigi Delneri’s side will take on Calcio Catania at the Stadio Olimpico in Turin on Saturday, April 23, 2011.
The clash will be crucial for both teams as the home side look to keep up their chances for the UEFA Champions League qualification whereas Catania hope to avoid relegation. The reverse fixture resulted in a comfortable 3-1 win for Juventus in which Fabio
Quagliarella scored a brace.
Juventus
The hosts have had a dismal 2010-11 season and have again failed to compete for the Serie A title against the likes of AC Milan and Inter Milan. Juventus are currently seventh on the League table with 52 points and are eight points behind Lazio, who occupy
the final Champions League qualification spot.
The Bianconeri have had a decent run of form recently and are unbeaten in their last five matches in the Serie A, winning three and drawing two in the process.
Catania
The Elephants are currently hovering above the relegation zone in 14th place with 36 points and are four points above the 18th placed Sampdoria.
Catania have won only two of their last five fixtures in the League and are coming from an embarrassing 4-1 defeat at home against Lazio recently. They have picked up seven points from their last five games which includes a brilliant 4-0 win against Palermo.
Team News
Juventus
The Turin giants have no major injury concerns and are expected to put in a strong side in the match. Alessandro Del Piero and Alessandro Matri will start upfront for the home side with Milos Krasic and Claudio Marchisio providing support from the wings.
Alberto Aquilani will partner Felipe Melo in the centre of the park.
Catania
Pablo Ledesma and Alejandro Gomez will return to the starting line up for the Sicilians. Top goal scorer Maxi Lopez will start as the lone striker upfront with fellow Argentinean Adrian Ricchiuti playing just behind him in the second striker role. Ezequiel
Carboni and Ledesma will start in the centre of the midfield.
Players to watch
Alessandro Matri
The Italian has been sensational in his loan move from Cagliari for the Bianconeri and has scored 7 goals in his 10 appearances so far in the Serie A. He will be looking to add on to his already impressive goal tally and put in another match winning performance
for the hosts in a push for the Champions League place.
Maxi Lopez
The 27-year-old has stood out in an otherwise poor season for the club. The Argentinean has found the net 11 times in 17 appearances and could play a key part in the club’s survival this season.
Prediction
The Turin giants have been far from superior at the Stadio Olimpico this season and have been inconsistent.
However, recent performances have shown that Delneri’s side have somewhat found the rhythm. Catania have been poor when travelling and will face an uphill task to get a result in the fixture. Juventus will win the clash comfortably with a
3-0 score line.