Catania boast one of the best home records in Serie A as the Sicilian side have proved again and again that they are a formidable side in their own backyard. So far this campaign the Etnei have lost just twice at the Stadio Angelo Massimino and those defeats came at the hands of Juventus and Inter.
However, Catania's terrible away results (or lack of them) have pushed them to 16th in the league standings on 22 points from 21 matches, just three above the relegation zone. Diego Simeone's side have yet to register a victory in the league this new year as they have lost three of the four Serie A encounters and also bowed out of the Coppa Italia after going down 2-0 to Juventus in Turin in the Round of 16.
It's desperate time for Catania as they need maximum points against Milan to continue their fight against survival in the Italian top flight. In the reverse fixture at San Siro in September the Rossazzurri collected a point after drawing 1-1 and this weekend they will be trying to achieve at least a similar result.
Coach Simeone has urged his players to forget last weekend's defeat to Parma and concentrate on the encounter against Milan. The Argentine said,"We made too many sloppy mistakes and I can't allow that. We must correct that.
"There was also a drop in concentration and you cannot afford to do that in this competition. We will have to play a perfect game against Milan if we are to get a result.''
Back Up And Running
Milan's start to the new year had been somewhat stuttering as after a late goal secured them a 1-0 victory in Cagliari, they failed to win against Udinese and Lecce, allowing the other Scudetto challengers to close the gap.
However, Massimiliano Allegri's side have since turned the tide and are currently on a three-game winning streak. Having dismissed Bari 3-0 in the Coppa Italia Round of 16, the Diavolo defeated Cesena 2-0 at San Siro last weekend and in midweek got the better of Sampdoria 2-1 in Genoa to force their way into the semi-finals of the Italian Cup.
Milan lead the Serie A standings by just four points from second-placed Napoli and are themselves on 44 points after 21 matches. Having gone six competitive matches in 2011 without suffering a loss, the former Italian and European champions will be hopeful of a positive result in Catania.
TEAM NEWS
Catania
Biagianti, Potenza, Llama and Izco are injured and will miss the visit of Milan.
Milan
Boateng, Zambrotta, Inzaghi, Amelia, Pirlo, Jankulovski, Nesta, Gattuso, Seedorf, Flamini, Strasser and Abate are injured and will miss the trip to Sicily.
Prediction
Catania are strong at home and will have the confidence of getting at least something from their encounter against Milan. The Rossoneri, though, are back in form but one suspects that the Sicilians could just about pull off a surprise.
Catania 2-2 Milan 
