Clarence Seedorf has guided his team to four straight wins and as a result, Milan sit five points behind city rivals Inter and a Europa League berth.

Preview: Rossoneri look to keep up winning momentum against relegation candidates Livorno

Last weekend, Milan achieved something that they have not done all season: win four consecutive matches. In teams from past seasons, this would not be anything worthy of note, but given how the Diavolo have floundered during much of this year's domestic campaign, any positive result is something that will definitely make fans a tad less disgruntled and take a bit of pressure off new manager Clarence Seedorf.

However, it is also important to recognize that Seedorf's troops really struggled against basement-dwellers Catania, despite having a man advantage and only were able to earn all three points thanks to Riccardo Montolivo's long range strike in the first half. That is certainly not something that is encouraging to the team's fans nor management, and the rumour floating around Italy is that the Rossoneri hierarchy have demanded a fifth place finish to secure European football for next season.

 

Hence, although their opponents have earned just one point from their last five matches, they will obviously have to be on their guard against a side that is desperate to remain in Italy's top flight next season. Nonetheless, the Rossoneri will be buoyed by the return of young defender Mattia De Sciglio to regular training. The Italian international had been out with a long-term injury and it remains to be seen whether he'll be one of those selected for the match.

Yet, while they have gained one back, they will be missing new signing Keisuke Honda--with the Japanese star suffering from an ankle sprain and looks likely to miss the match. Others on the injury list include Ghanaian midfield duo Michael Essien and Sulley Muntari. The former Chelsea man, who suffered a thigh injury earlier this month, remains in doubt as does his Black Stars colleague, who is recuperating from a calf strain.

As for Livorno, the Labronici's return to Serie A has been nothing short of a nightmare. Not only have they had a revolving door of managers--three so far, if one counts caretaker manager Attilio Perotti--but also, after briefly climbing to sixth place for matchdays two through four, they have spent the vast majority of their campaign in the bottom three. With a dismal six wins so far, only Bologna and Catania--who have five and four--have won less than the struggling side and their 64 goals conceded (an average of nearly two per match) is the worst defensive record of any team this season.

Still, one positive shining light for the floundering outfit has been the goal-scoring feats of Brazilian forward Paulinho. The 28-year-old, who first signed with Livorno back in 2005, has scored 13 goals so far this season--a bit over one-third of his side's total haul of 36 this season. And if his side wish to overcome the three point gap that seperates them from Bologna, they will definitely be counting on him to have an impact against a Milan side that still appears to be shaky on confidence.

Both teams will head into this game with vastly different objectives, yet the one thing they have in common is each will be looking to earn all three points, as a draw will neither help the Diavolo's Europa League chances nor aid the Amaranto's quest to stay in calcio's top tier.

Where to watch the match – live stream, start time, TV channels, live scores

Watch Milan vs Livorno live on Saturday, April 19, 2014:

In Italy at 15.00 CET on: Premium Calcio 3

For live score updates and more live listings of the game, visit the Milan vs Livorno match page.