Round 21 – Catania warding off relegation
By David, BettingExpert.com | Edited
More recovered games will come forth next week. For now we have another two after last week’s Atalanta vs Genoa and Parma vs Juventus. Bologna will hope to keep riding the wave of enthusiasm after dominating Inter at the San Siro and winning 0-3. Stunning. So was Catania’s display away to Juventus but the result was different. They lost and now need to focus all their energies on keeping Siena behind them in the table.
Bologna – Fiorentina
The Viola and their hosts, Bologna, have both played last on Friday night. Theirs were different fates though with Bologna registering the biggest surprise of the last round beating Inter at the San Siro 0-3 whilst Rossi’s Fiorentina lost at home with the same scoreline against Napoli.
After conceding that many goals at home some would have been reminded of how difficult it has been in the past for Rossi to actually organize a solid defence. From his days with Palermo that was the point of contention between him and boss Zamparini. In the end it turned out to be one of the main reasons why he was sent away from Sicily.
Since he arrived in Firenze he has lead the team to five games away from the Artemio Franchi. Two defeats, two draws and one victory against lowly Novara. All three goals scored were produced in this last game. In all the others the focus was primarily on seeing a clean sheet.
The attitude of the Viola was somewhat different last Friday. Rossi might have thought he could take advantage of a careless Napoli at the back. However, they were unlucky on that count whilst Cavani was in his goal scoring form.
Back on the road and after a heavy home defeat the manager should once again seek to get his lads to cover themselves well first and foremost. Just like two of their last three hosts Pioli’s players will look to contain too even though playing at home. The win over Inter will have given them a lot to smile about. That made it six games without losing a match now in Serie A. With four games at home ahead of them they will look to patiently gather those final 15 points that would almost surely guarantee safety. No need to seal things quickly for Bologna therefore.
Verdict: Under 2.5
Both should be looking at keeping their lines tight with goals a responsibility of the strikers upfront asked to produce a successful solo effort which they would go on to defend until the clock runs down. Both have the right players for that so this is a 1X2 match actually.
Obscure Stat - Over the last 4 Serie A seasons, Bologna have hosted clubs positioned between 12th and 14th on the table 9 times. They avoided defeat on each occasion.
Siena – Catania
Siena recover their missing game this week but Catania will need to recover a second one next week when they travel up north to Cesena. Considering they also had to play an extra 25 minutes against Roma a few days ago it seems this is a tiring February for them. This might influence their performance here.
Montella’s team comes from a defeat at the Juventus Stadium. They showed all their quality there, however, and Siena’s Sannino will be wary of a side which will definitely not want to be dragged back into relegation troubles. Four points now separate the sides, although as already mentioned Catania need to recover an additional match.
It was an attacking approach which the ex-Roma striker, now manager, tried to impose against Juventus. Some movements played out nicely and with Barrientos back in form and, for now at least, not injured, Catania have a three-pronged attack which can cause damage. Gomez-Bergessio-Barrientos. Lodi and Almiron dictate the pace well from midfield . There they do lack strength though and thus I would expect Siena to win the battle in the middle of the park.
Sannino is a keen admirer of tough-tackling football and quick runs at the opponent once the ball is in possession. The flanks men will be asked to defend once again. Quality of the wingers is therefore sacrificed. Yet it has been a working machine and given they do lack the best of feet in this division they have to resort to a defensive style.
Whether Catania can actually get something from this will depend on how well they put the danger balls inside Siena’s box. Possession will mostly be theirs and given they have some very good players when it comes to passing the ball they ought to make the best of the chances they will have. If they have to bring it sown to a physical battle in midfield they will lose and will be very vulnerable to Siena’s counter attacks.
Verdict: Catania +0.25
Catania’s attitude has been laudable against Juventus. I like their attitude and against a weaker side they should make sure they do not get dragged into any issues related to relegation by securing three points and keeping Siena close to the danger zone.
Obscure Stat - Over the last 4 Serie A seasons, Catania have played away to promoted clubs on 11 occasions, with the match ending in a draw 5 times.
22.02.2012, 03:16 CET
Thank you masterOhell. Fiorentina played better in the first half and only Olivera's red card helped them keep a lead they managed to take with two fast counter attacks.
Luckily my bet was for an Under so that's one down. Hoping for Catania to succeed against Siena.
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21.02.2012, 17:38 CET
Nice Previews david,yes,Bologna outclassed Inter last round, but they Are not a winning machine for sure,with only 6wins so far..I will go for X2 or maybe draw,and under for sure too.Good luck