Italian Serie A
2009-05-03 - Catania vs AC Milan
A Sports Betting Pick by Gooner
Football: Italy, Serie A
Sunday, 3rd May 2009 - Kickoff 14:00
Catania (14th - Home Rec : 10-1-5 21:17)
Catania are in 14th spot in the league, but with 10 home wins in 16 matches a trip to the Stadio Massimino is never easy for any visiting team.
Catanaia have won three of their last four home games, beating Reggina, Lazio and Sampdoria, althuogh prior to that they did lose to both Juventus and Inter Milan here.
Catania are safe from any relegation fears, and that fact may have played a part in last weeks 1-2 away loss to Lecce as manager Walter Zenga seemed to take the chance to play some fringe players in the squad.
But Zenga is an ex-Inter Milan player, and he'd like nothing better than to beat AC Milan and help Inter to another title, and so I expect to see a full strength Catania side for this match.
Team News :
Catania miss Giacomo Tedesco and Pablo Ledesma through injury, and youngster Fabio Sciacca who was dismissed on debut at Lecce last weekend.
Milan (2nd - Away Rec : 6-5-5 26:21)
AC Milan have been in very good form of late - unbeaten in their last seven league games, winning six and drawing one - and climbing up to second in the table - albeit still seven points behind rivals Inter Milan.
Pippo Inzaghi is scoring plenty of goals right now - helped immensely by the fact that Kaka is now fit again and pulling the strings nicely in the Milan midfield.
However, I cannot shake the fact that Milan have won just SIX of 16 away games this season, and their last two outings were a 0-0 draw in Napoli and a 1-0 win in Chievo.
Hardly world-beating performances, and the prices of 1.60 to 1.65 on an away win seem far too low, even for mighty Milan, especially bearing in mind the team news.
Team News :
Milan’s injury crisis continues to be a major problem with Rino Gattuso, Marco Borriello, Alessandro Nesta, Kakha Kaladze, Daniele Bonera, Christian Abbiati, Luca Antonini and Alexandre Pato all injured, while Mathieu Flamini is suspended.
Head to Head
Catania have faced AC Milan here twice in the last two seasons in League player, and both times the Elefanti have been able to "tweak" the noses of the Rossoneri earning points in a 1-1 draw.
Probable Teams :
Kosicky;
Potenza, Silvestre, Stovini, Capuano;
Carboni, Izco, Biagianti, Llama;
Martinez, Mascara
Milan :
Dida;
Zambrotta, Favalli, Maldini, Jankulovski;
Beckham, Ambrosini, Pirlo, Seedorf;
Kaka;
Inzaghi
THe Betting Verdict
Yes, AC Milan have the huge names, a giant following, and "need" the points but that does not mean the low price on an away win at a very tough ground is a good bet.
Instead, I prefer to chance the DRAW, with Catania having plenty of motivation of their own, a shorter injury list, and home advantage.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Catania 1-1 Milan
