Serie A betting article: Sampdoria-Catania
Despite already being reduced to ten men, they took the lead against Lazio and held out until deep in injury time. The two points lost kept them in the drop zone, but that will be seen as a good start for Mihajlovic and he will certainly not lack for motivation today returning to another of his former clubs and one where he ended his playing days and started his coaching career. He went with his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation and it was widely seen as a success, but just as important was the desire they showed, with Samp winning all the combatitive duels (interceptions, aerial battles and tackles) over the Roman side and the goal came from a blocked clearance, so we can definitely expect plenty more of this pressing and high energy approach today.
They lose Serbian midfielder Nenad Krsticic (11-0-0) to suspension following his red card, but get Eder (see above) back from his ban and we might see him play in the secondary striker role behind Pozzi today. Another forward Gianluca Sansone (7-1-1) has returned earlier than expected from injury and also returns after six weeks out. It is a good sign that he wants back in asap and Mihajlovic has added him to a squad containing five strikers, which shows attacking intent. A big game for them, if they could take a point or better today, they have a good run of fixtures leading up to the Christmas break and could build some momentum.
The visitors have conceded at least twice in all away games this season and it is very difficult to see them improving that miserable record this afternoon, with winger Pablo Barrientos (9-3-0) and defensive midfielder Panagiotis Tachtsidis (12-0-1) both suspended and centrebacks Giuseppe Belluscia and Alexis Rolín,midfielders Sergio Almirón (11-0-0) and Mariano Izco, plus striker Gonzalo Bergessio (9-1-1), all injured. That leaves them very short of options in key areas all over the pitch
Samp have named a similar squad to last week, but get Nenad Krsticic back from suspension, which will strengthen them in midfield where Catania look extremely weak, hosts to boss this and get a vital three points. Club President Edoardo Garrone was again (see above) at the final training session for the duration yesterday, no pressure there then ! 1.25 units Sampdoria -0.75 ball 2.04 asian line/Ibramarket.
Sampdoria: Da Costa, Fiorillo, Tozzo, Costa, De Silvestri, Fornasier, Gastaldello, Mustafi, Regini, Rodriguez, Bjarnason, Eramo, Krsticic, Maresca, Obiang, Palombo, Renan, Soriano, Wszolek, Eder, Gabbiadini, Petagna, Pozzi, Sansone.
Catania: 21 Andujar, 35 Ficara, 1 Frison, 22 Alvarez, 34 Biraghi, 33 Capuano, 24 Gyomber, 6 Legrottaglie, 18 Monzon, 2 Peruzzi, 3 Spolli,19 Castro, 20 Freire, 17 Guarente, 8 Plasil,23 Boateng, 26 Keko, 11 Leto, 10 Lopez, 32 Petkovic.
Good Luck.