Inter Milan and Juventus have pulled away from the chasing pack at the top of Serie A, and this weekend’s “Derby d’Italia” in Turin brings the in-form sides together for a summit clash.
Juventus have won their last five league games and are unbeaten in seven, while Inter, who have a two-point lead over their opponents, have four consecutive league victories and are undefeated in six.
In that seven-game unbeaten run, Juventus have conceded one goal despite losing their captain Danilo to injury, but Daniele Rugani has slotted neatly into the back three.
Juventus have conceded seven goals in 12 league games this season, and Inter have let in six and have the league’s best attack with 29 goals, 10 more than Juve.
Lautaro Martinez has scored 12 league goals for Inter, and Simone Inzaghi will be relieved to see him return unharmed from the international break with Argentina.
Inter Milan were not so lucky with Alessandro Bastoni as the defender suffered a calf injury with Italy, and Juventus are still without Timothy Weah, who missed the last two games with a hamstring issue.
Federico Chiesa began the season with four goals in the opening five games for Juventus before injury problems hampered his progress, but he grabbed two goals for Italy against North Macedonia last week.
In the past 10 Serie A games between the sides in Turin, Inter Milan have managed only one win, and Juventus will see this fixture as a chance to show their Scudetto credentials, having slipped out of the title race the past three seasons.
AC Milan have fallen to third place and eight points behind Inter after their recent poor run. They are without a win in their last four league games and have lost their last two at home.
Stefano Pioli’s side hosted Fiorentina on Saturday, who themselves stopped the rot with a win over Bologna last time out after three consecutive league defeats.
AC Milan have problems in attack as Rafael Leao is out with a hamstring injury while Olivier Giroud is suspended after his red card in the draw with Lecce.
Luka Jovic could make a rare start after arriving on loan from Fiorentina, and he faces his former teammates after seven appearances without a shot on goal.
Champions Napoli are 10 points behind Inter, and new manager Walter Mazzarri faces a tough opening game as his side travels on Saturday to Atalanta, who are one point behind in the standings.
AS Roma, in seventh place, on Sunday hosted 16th-placed Udinese, who have only won this season at Milan but have only lost three games.
