Diego Simeone was said to be Catania's saviour, the man who would rescue the Sicilians from relegation. However, three defeats in four games under the Argentine coach have failed to calm fears of a drop into Serie B as the Sicilians prepare for a lengthy battle with the relegation demon.
Heading into Week 25, Catania find themselves just a place and a point above the bottom-three. The Etnei have scored just one goal in their last four matches and have looked uninspiring upfront.
On the positive side, though, Catania have lost just thrice at home in the league this season, and those defeats came against Juventus, Inter and Milan. The Rossazzurri have a formidable record at the Angelo Massimino and having lost to Lecce in the reverse fixture earlier this campaign, they will be motivated to avenge themselves this weekend.
Returning To Form
Last weekend's 4-2 defeat to Palermo at home brought an end to Lecce's five-game unbeaten run, their longest in Serie A since September 2004. The result also saw the Lupi's progress in Serie A get punctuated, and put them just two places and two points above the relegation zone.
Lecce remain one of the favourites to drop down into the Italian second division and given their poor away form in the league this campaign, Luigi De Canio's side could struggle this weekend as well. Having won just twice on the road all season, Lecce have conceded a whooping 25 away goals too, scoring just eight in return.
Lecce got the better of Catania in the reverse fixture in October and will be hopeful of a similar result this weekend too.
TEAM NEWS
Catania
Biagianti, Izco, Capuano, Carboni and Bellusci are unavailable because of injuries. Alvarez is suspended.
Lecce
Giuliatto and Ofere are injured and will miss the trip to Catania. Fabiano is suspended.
Prediction
This a relegation six-pointer that Catania should win as they have proved themselves very strong at home.
Catania 2-0 Lecce 
