[D-Kin]

Serie A Week 20 - 21/1/07 (14.00 UK)
Catania - Cagliari

Stadio Massimino

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Catania and Cagliari have been struggling for consistency of late and both sides will be eager to rack up a win when Sicily faces Sardinia in the battle of the Isolani. Catania will be hoping their home advantage can give them the edge against the struggling visitors.

Cagliari find themselves way down the table and will be concerned at their chances of being dragged into a relegation battle as the season progresses. They still have a seven-point gap between themselves and the drop zone, but given Reggina’s impressive form they can’t afford to be complacent.

Last week’s win over bottom club Ascoli will have given the Rossoblu players a much-needed confidence boost and they will be hoping to build on that victory. But that 1-0 triumph was their first win in 11 matches and they certainly won’t be going into this game as favourites.

The Sardinians will have to make do without both goalkeeper Antonio Chimenti and star winger Mauro Esposito – the latter is out for the season. Marco Fortin and Andrea Capone are likely to get the nod from Coach Franco Colomba.

Catania’s absences are a lot more severe. Gianluca Falsini, Matteo Biso and Giuseppe Mascara are all out injured while Lorenzo Stovini and Fabio Caserta are both suspended. Mariano Izco, Francesco Millesi and Mauro Minelli should slot into the team and get a chance to impress Coach Pasquale Marino.

Marino will not be too concerned by those missing players though, given his team’s excellent form so far this term. They have emerged as Serie A’s surprise package and the newly-promoted Sicilians currently find themselves occupying the fourth Champions League spot.

On home soil Catania have been especially impressive and have not lost a single fixture at the Stadio Angelo Massimino, meaning Cagliari will have a tough task to come away with any points in Sicily. The Etnei may have suffered a disappointing defeat at Chievo last week, but the fans will be hoping a backlash will secure another home win in this match.

Man on fire: Gionatha Spinesi (Catania) – The prolific marksman has 11 Serie A goals to his name already and has scored in every single Catania home game except one, and that was way back in Week 2!

Last season: Not played

Form guide: Catania (D W L W L) Cagliari (D L L L W)

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Catania (probable): Fortin; Pisano, Lopez, Bianco, Agostini; Biondini, Conti, L Colucci; Capone, Suazo, Langella

Cagliari (probable): Pantanelli; Silvestri, Sottil, Minelli, Vargas; Izco, Edusei, Baiocco; G Colucci, Spinesi, Millesi

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