Handicap
Catania vs Milan
1 : 0
Newly christened Scudetto challengers Milan travel south to take on Catania in one of the better matchups this Sunday in the Serie A.
The Times They Are A-Changin’
Whereas Catania have in the past couple of seasons taken down the Serie A giants at their home ground on the island of Sicily, this term they have not been able to pull off those same shocking defeats.
Of the top six sides in the table, only Roma and Genoa failed to take away the full three points from the Stadio Massimino, with Milan and Fiorentina still to play there. However, Catania did take a point away from Juventus on the road.
That being said, Catania have dropped off in form since their early challenge for a European spot. The main culprit has to be their atrocious away form, having been victorious just once in 17 away matches. To go with that single win, six draws and ten losses will not put you in good stead anywhere close to the top of the table.
And their home ground is no longer the fortress that it was two seasons ago. Losing 3-0 to Siena at home in early March clearly proves that, and they no longer put up the goal scoring exploits that they desperately need from their home matches.
New Challenge, Same Old Foe
Just a few weeks ago, Milan were hoping just to hold onto third spot in the Serie A table. Now, they are only seven points behind league-leaders Inter with five matches remaining.
The occurrence of this unlikely set of circumstances has essentially been two-fold. Inter have stumbled and lost form, much like they did last term. However, Milan have been playing extremely well, winning six of their last seven matches, and usually by multiple goals.
Since losing to Sampdoria on March 1, Milan have only conceded two goals and have scored 19! With Inter’s dip in form and Juventus also faltering, Milan have been able to sneak up on their northern neighbors.
While it is still unlikely that Milan will be able to take the title, they can still hope. Anything other than a win in this match, however, may kill those chances. Milan have a history recently of dropping points in road matches, and they must take the full allotment this time around.
FORM GUIDE
Catania
21/03 (Serie A):
05/04 (Serie A):
11/04 (Serie A): Torino 2-1
19/04 (Serie A):
26/04 (Serie A):
22/03 (Serie A): Napoli-Milan 0-0
05/04 (Serie A): Milan-Lecce 2-0
11/04 (Serie A): Chievo-Milan 0-1
19/04 (Serie A):
26/04 (Serie A):
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TEAM NEWS
Catania
The home side have two players injured, as Pablo Ledesma and Giacomo Tedesco are not fit. Also, Fabio Sciacca is suspended for being sent off last weekend.
The absentee situation could be direr in the following weeks, as Catania have seven players sitting one booking from a suspension. Michele Paolucci, Takayuki Morimoto, Alessandro Potenza, Davide Baiocco, Ciro Capuano, Matias Silvestre and Albano Bizzarri risk suspension.
Possible Formation (4-1-3-2): Kosicky; Potenza, Silvestre, Capuano, Carboni; Izco; Biagianti, Llama, Martinez; Mascara, Morimoto
Milan
Alessandro Nesta, Kakha Kaladze, Marco Borriello, Christian Abbiati and Gennaro Gattuso are out for the season. It has also been reported that Marek Jankulovski will go under the knife next week to repair an ankle problem and he will probably miss the rest of the season as well. Daniele Bonera, Alexandre Pato and Luca Antonini are not entirely fit and will miss out as well.
Because of the yellow card he received last Sunday, Mathieu Flamini will be on the sideline for this match with a suspension.
Possible Formation (4-3-2-1): Dida; Zambrotta, Senderos, Maldini, Favalli; Beckham, Pirlo, Ambrosini; Kaka, Seedorf; Inzaghi
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Catania
Giuseppe Mascara is the only member of the squad who has scored with regularity this term, and he can pop up at any moment to put one past the ‘keeper. Jorge Martinez will need to provide attacking support from the midfield for Mascara to have any effect on this match, however.
Milan
Filippo Inzaghi will go it alone up top in this match, but with a healthy Kaka in support, who knows what could happen. Clarence Seedorf has not played very well this season, but with so much focus being on Inzaghi and Kaka, he will find room to play his game.
PREDICTION
Milan are incredibly hot right now, but Catania will be eager to put one over on a Serie A heavyweight. This match is sure to have exciting attacking play, but the better side will come good in the end.
Catania 1-2 Milan
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