CATANIA v PALERMO
Football - Italy - Serie A
Sunday 18th December 2011 - Kickoff 2pm

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This should be a sizzling Sicilian derby as only two points separate Catania and Palermo in the Serie A standings.

CATANIA ( 4-6-4 15:20 )

Catania are sitting in 11th place after a poor run of form that has seen the Elephanti lose in each of their last two home fixtures.

However Catania did earn a point at Atalanta last weekend - and will definately be "up" for this derby fixture.

Catania Team News :
In defense Potenza is the candidate to play in the place of suspended Spolli, while in midfield coach Vincenzo Montella recovers both Izco and Gomez and forward Maxi Lopez is favorite to start from the first minute.

Two players remain unavailable as Suazo (individual workout) and Biagianti (therapy, gym) are not going to play again before the winter break.

PALERMO ( 6-2-6 16:16 )

Palermo are 6th in Serie A, and are unbeatable at home, but when travelling away they never win and also never seem to even score.

Palermo Team News :
Devis Mangia must play without suspended Acquah and Munoz, at the derby is oriented to use 4-4-2. At the heart of the defense came back Giulio Migliaccio.

In midfield Della Rocca and Barreto will play as Bacinovic is in major doubt because he has a knee problem and will find a place on the bench.

In attack Captain Miccoli will start with either Ilicic or Pinilla.

Palermo must play without injured Eros Pisano (compound fracture of the left tibial malleolus): Balzaretti is moving on the right wing, with the consequent graft of Mantovani on the left.

Out Tzorvas (injured), the goalkeeper will be Benussi.

PROBABLE TEAM LINEUPS

CATANIA (3-5-2) : Andujar, Bellusci, Legrottaglie, Potenza, Izco, Almiron, Lodi, Del Vecchio, Marchese, Gomez, Maxi Lopez

PALERMO (4-4-2) : Benussi, Balzaretti, Silvestre, Migliaccio, Mantovani, Alvarez, Della Rocca, Barreto, E. Bertolo, Ilicic, Miccoli

THE BETTING VERDICT

For this Sicilian Derby we have to remember that there are much motivation for both teams.

Every year this is a hard match to play, in the last 4 years it was impossible for supporters to follow the team away for the hooligans risk.

Statistically Catania start with soft advantage: they play at home where they've won this derby on each of the last four occasions, and Catania also have a more settled squad of players right now.

For Palermo they've had a tough week, conceding their 100 per cent home form in Serie A with a draw, followed by elimination from the Coppa Italia after playing 120 minutes on Wednesday.

So, both teams can not afford to lose this match. conceding their 100 per cent home form in Serie A and elimination from the Coppa Italia.

The Statistics :

The Pick :

Catania 0-0 Palermo (or 1-1)

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Main Bet :
Take the DRAW at 3.20

Consider possible bets on :
- Draw at HT @ 2.10
- Under 2.5 Goals @ 1.66