* Palermo have slipped to ninth in the Serie A table with 40 points from 29 matches and are nine points off the final Europa League slot.
* The Rosanero have lost five league matches in a row, conceding 15 goals in the process.
* Serse Cosmi’s side last scored on February 13 in their 4-2 home defeat to Fiorentina under Delio Rossi. Since then they have not scored in four matches.
* The Aquile would be placed ninth in the table based on home form and 10th on their away record.
* Palermo have scored 25 league goals at home and have conceded 21.
* Milan are the current leaders of Serie A with 62 points from 29 matches, five ahead of second-placed Inter.
* The Rossoneri have not won in their last couple of fixtures, having recorded a goalless draw with Tottenham Hotspur in London in the Champions League and then being held to a 1-1 draw by Bari at home last weekend.
* Massimiliano Allegri’s side have the best defensive record in the Italian top flight this season, having shipped just 21 goals in 29 matches.
* The Diavolo have the best away record in the championship, having collected 31 points in 14 matches on the road, losing just once.
* Milan will be without striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is suspended.
LAST MEETING
November 10, 2010: Milan 3-1 Palermo
Milan conjured up a good 3-1 victory over Palermo at home in the reverse fixture. Alexandre Pato opened the scoring after 19 minutes but Armin Bacinovic restored parity just three minutes after the hour-mark. However, Zlatan Ibrahimovic put the Rossoneri back ahead on 77 minutes from the penalty spot and six minutes later Robinho scored to wrap up the points.
PROBABLE LINE-UPS
Palermo: Sirigu; Munoz, Goian, Migliaccio; Darmian, Bacinovic, Nocerino, Balzaretti; Pastore; Pinilla, Miccoli
Milan: Abbiati; Abate, Nesta, Thiago Silva, Antonini; Gattuso, Van Bommel, Flamini; Boateng; Pato, Cassano
Prediction
Palermo are in a wretched run of form while Milan too seem to have had their confidence fractured after their exit from the Champions League. This could prove to be a cagey and somewhat awkward affair, although it also has the potential to be a thriller. Expected a scored draw.
Palermo 1-1 AC Milan 
