Catania v Inter Milan
Football : Italy : Serie A
Friday, 12th March 2010 - Kickoff 7:45pm

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Catania (15th) Home : 4-5-4 15:11

Catania have been in a good run of form at home, with three wins and two draws in the last five games, and the Rossoblu will be looking forward to giving Inter Milan a bit of a test in the Friday night game.

The home wins over Bari, Parma and Bologna have finally given the home fans something to cheer about, but Catania are still sitting precariously in 15th place, with only 4 home wins in 13 games, and Inter Milan are a far stronger test.

Catania have some history with Inter Milan, as sporting director Pietro Lo Monaco has had a major row with Inter boss Jose Mourinho while current Catania manager Sinisa Mihajlovic is of course a former Inter Milan player.

Catania Team News :
Ezequiel Llama has been ruled out for the rest of the season due to injury and so Jorge Martinez should replace him up front – which could mean quite an attacking formation for Catania.

Nicolas Spolli is suffering from illness, and if he’s ruled out then Christian Terlizzi will play. Pablo Alvarez will be back in defence following a week of suspension.

Probable Catania Team :
Andujar
Alvarez, Silvestre, Terlizzi, Capuano
Izco, Biagianti, Ricchiuti
Mascara, Maxi Lopez, Martinez

Inter Milan (1st) Away : 7-4-2 25:11

This is a tricky fixture for Inter Milan who have been wobbling just a little over recent weeks, and who will face up to a trip to Stamford Bridge next week to take on Chelsea.

Inter remain top of the table but the gap back to city rivals AC Milan is now just four points - with Roma a further three ponints back.

Still, Inter were held to their 4th draw in five league games last weekend, a 0-0 home stalemate with Genoa and although manager Jose Mourinho says that he's not worried - it's not great form as the side moves into the "business end" of the season.

Mourinho will not be on the sidelines as he is still serving a suspension but he doesn't think it's a problem - "If the team plays well and with the right attitude, there is no need to have the coach on the bench to win".

Inter have won 7 of 13 away games - no Italian side has won more this season - and it's that strength that is carrying the Nerazzurri to another Scudetto title.

Inter Milan Team News :
Inter Milan will get Esteban Cambiasso back after suspension, and he should lead the midfield in Sicily.

Walter Samuel is banned so Ivan Cordoba will replace him. Davide Santon should start on the left while Samuel Eto’o and Mario Balotelli are in competition for a shirt up front.

Probable Inter Milan Team :
Julio Cesar
Maicon, Lucio, Cordoba, Santon
Zanetti, Cambiasso, Stankovic; Sneijder
Eto’o, Milito

Head to Head

All the h2h signs point to a very probable win for Inter Milan.

Inter Milan have won the last 7 league encounters against Catania, including the last three at Stadio Massimino - and all three away games were won by a margin of at least two goals.

THe Betting Verdict :

Inter Milan have not won for a while, ands the timing for this game is tricky, but it seems as if they might meet a Catania side that has defensive weakness and the home side might have to attack.

That plays right into the hands of Jose Mourinho, who is a counter attacking tactical expert, and I expect Inter Milan to take asdvantage and leave with all three points.

The Statistics :

The Pick :

Catania 0-2 Inter Milan

PERCENTAGE ESTIMATE :

Catania 19% - Draw 28% - Inter Milan 53%

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

I'll take INTER MILAN to win at a good price - I think that Inter need all three points - and that the "Chelsea" factor has been overdone in the odds.