Catania vs Torino, preview: Visitors seek a point, nothing more

Maurizio Lagana

While Catania are often a joy to watch at home, Torino's style is likely to put a damper on the hosts' enthusiasm.

Round 19 of Serie A kicks off with a match between titans, a can't-miss showdown between two heavyweights of Italian football...ah, who are we kidding. Calcio's return is heralded by Torino, currently in 13th, making a visit to Sicily to take on Catania, who sit 9th. Neither team will make Europe, and it's extremely unlikely either will be relegated.

But will it be a fun match? There's potential. Catania are fast-paced and attack-oriented, particularly at home. When Alejandro Gómez and Pablo Barrientos are clicking, they're a joy to watch. And there's always the possibility of watching Francesco Lodi score from a magnificent free kick.

The fly in the ointment here is il granata. Torino, whose aim for the season seems to be to stay up rather than impress, are uninterested in winning on the road. They've scored just nine goals away (five in a single match!) and, even more revealingly, have won just once, compared to the six draws they've had away from Turin. The visitors will be out to frustrate their opponents, not to put on a dazzling display of football.

Catania Injuries and Suspensions

Pablo Alvarez and Marco Biagianti (injured)

Torino Injuries and Suspensions

Matteo Brighi, Angelo Ogbonna, and Mario Santana (injured)

Star defender Ogbonna's been dealing with injury throughout the season, so Torino finally had to allow him to go under the knife. He'll be recovering from hernia surgery for the next few weeks.

Match Date / Time: Saturday, January 5 at 6 p.m. local / 12 noon ET

Venue: Stadio Angelo Massimino, Catania

TV: Sky Calcio 1, BeIN Sport USA, RAI Internazionale

Also, here is a photo of Pablo Barrientos meeting a cow: