Cesena look doomed for the drop. What commenced as a fairytale campaign in which they were even in pole position in the table for a short period of time has degenerated into an expected battle for survival.
Going into Week 23, Massimo Ficcadenti's side find themselves third from bottom with 20 points with 22 matches, just a point from safety. At the weekend they held Lecce to a 1-1 draw away from home, bringing an end to three successive defeats in a row.
Coach Massimo Ficcadenti is hopeful that they can achieve something more against Catania tonight and said, "Considering how the game was going, we cannot be too disappointed with the result. In the end, we claimed a point and that is what counts.
"Now we turn our attention to the game against Catania, knowing that we have another opportunity to climb out of the relegation zone.''
Getting Dragged Into The Quagmire
Catania slumped to a 2-0 defeat to Milan in Sicily at the weekend in what was their second successive league defeat and sixth competitive fixture without a win. At the moment the Etnei are two points above the dropzone with 22 points from 22 matches and are in real danger of getting dragged into the bottom-three.
Catania last won a match in December and are in a wretched run of form. A defeat tonight could force the Elefanti into the relegation zone and they need to be careful especially as they have not won a single match in the league away from home.
Coach Diego Simeone acknowledges the difficult situation Catania are in but remains optimistic and says, "We are in a difficult situation. The team doesn't react and we just have to work as hard as possible to change that trend.
"I am not afraid because the only thing I know is to work hard. Even in my first experience as coach back in Argentina with club Racing we were last with two points and then we managed to defend our status winning the last five games of the season."
TEAM NEWS
Cesena
Lauro and Colucci are out suspended for the Seahorses.
Catania
Biagianti, Izco, Alvarez, Capuano, Carboni and Potenza are injured and will miss the match against Cesena.
Prediction
This is going to be a scrappy game and nowhere near entertaining. A narrow win for Catania shouldn't be illogical even though they are away since Cesena are low on confidence.
Cesena 1-2 Catania 
