Preview : Catania - Lazio

Serie A Week 29 - 21/3/09 (17.00 UK)
Catania - Lazio
Stadio Massimino
After a weekend to forget, Lazio will look to get back to winning ways against a Catania side also plagued by inconsistency. Catania are an enigma. The Sicilians have only managed a draw and a defeat since their heroic derby rout of Palermo and are one of Serie A’s most unpredictable outfits. The Etnei drew 1-1 with Udinese last weekend after shipping a second-half equaliser. Pasquale Marino’s side are 13th and seem to be clear of the relegation mire, but on 34 points they can’t afford to take anything for granted. Two more wins should secure another season in the top flight, but any designs on UEFA Cup qualification will have to wait for next season. Lazio are also a mysterious side. The Biancocelesti had been on superb form with three consecutive wins, but they were humiliated 3-0 by lowly Chievo last Sunday. While the result was an embarrassment, Lazio are still in eighth place and firmly in UEFA Cup contention. The main task for Delio Rossi is to prevent his defence leaking goals – they have so far conceded 40 times this term. Rossi is assured of a new contract and has been told he is the future of Lazio, but European football will make for a much brighter future. Last year Catania beat Lazio 1-0 as the ill disciplined Biancocelesti had two men sent off. Pasquale Foggia’s late goal was decisive for Lazio in Week 10. Takayuki Morimoto is injured, while Ezequiel Carboni and Davide Baiocco are suspended for Catania. Lazio men Simone Del Nero, Mourad Meghni and Ousmane Dabo are sidelined. Keep an eye on: Giuseppe Mascara (Catania) – The Etnei marksman is building a reputation for the spectacular and his strike against Udinese last weekend almost matched his 40-yarder against Palermo. Last season: Catania 1-0 Lazio Form guide: Catania (D W W L D) Lazio (D W W W L)
Catania (probable): Bizzarri; Potenza, Silvestre, Stovini, Capuano; Izco, Ledesma, Biagianti, Tedesco; Martinez, Mascara Lazio (probable): Muslera; Lichtsteiner, Siviglia, Cribari, De Silvestri; Brocchi, Ledesma, Matuzalem, Foggia; Pandev, Zarate Ref: To follow...