Chievo vs Catania preview - Chievo have magic number in sights

Posted Saturday, April 07, 2012 by PA

Chievo are one win away from being able to plan for another season in Serie A with some confidence.

Normally 40 points is the magic number clubs aim for at the start of the campaign, but ahead of the battle against Catania in Verona, Chievo have 39 in the bank as the season enters its final eight weeks.

However, bottom two Novara and Cesena are way off the pace and of the clubs in the relegation zone only Lecce are within striking range and even they trail Chievo by 11 points.

Chievo beat Fiorentina 2-1 last time out to claim its 10th win of the campaign and victory on Saturday would be a major fillip and a milestone in the battle for survival.

Chievo striker Sergio Pellissier is confident his team can succeed this weekend.

"I think we need to reach the 41-42 point mark in order to defend our Serie A status," he said.

"I am confident because we are playing well.

"We take on Catania ready to claim a win in order to get to our first aim, that of defending our Serie A status.

"We know it's going to be hard because Catania play well but we are ready."

Chievo coach Domenico Di Carlo will be bolstered by the return of midfielder Paolo Sammarco from suspension.

Rivals Catania are showing no signs of slowing down and travel to the Marc' Antonio Bentegodi stadium riding an eight-match unbeaten run.

The Sicilians held Serie A leaders AC Milan to a 1-1 draw last weekend to climb to eighth place, five points below Udinese, who hodld the last European qualifying spot.

"We have important ambitions and we want to try to finish as high as possible in the standings," Catania coach Vincenzo Montella said.