Serie A preview: High stakes for Milan derby

League leaders AC Milan take on cross-city rivals Inter Milan on Sunday in a match set to dominate proceedings in Serie A this weekend.

Reigning champions AC Milan defeated Bologna 2-0 when the Italian domestic campaign resumed last week.

They are level on 37 points with second-placed Juventus, and will be looking to preserve their advantage in the standings by claiming bragging rights in the Milan derby at San Siro.

Standing in their way are an Inter team still revelling in their biggest victory of a troubled season.

A dire start to the campaign cost Gian Piero Gasperini his job after just five matches in charge.

Now coached by Claudio Ranieri, they have climbed to fifth in the table, eight points back from Milan following a 5-0 thrashing of Parma last Sunday.

Transfer speculation has overshadowed the build-up to the clash, with Milan’s proposed move for Carlos Tevez cancelled after Brazil forward Alexandre Pato committed his future to the club.

In other matches, Juventus will hope to keep the pressure on Milan, or perhaps regain the lead outright, when they host Cagliari in Turin.

Third-placed Udinese are just two points back from the joint leaders, and may have designs of their own on top spot when they visit Genoa.

Lazio will be seeking redemption at home to Atalanta – Edy Reja’s fourth-placed team suffered a chastening 4-0 reverse away to Siena in their first match back after the mid-season break.

Before that, the opening match of the round takes places on Saturday, when Luis Enrique’s misfiring Roma visit Catania.

In the other fixtures on Sunday, bottom side Lecce are away to Fiorentina, while 15th plays 16th respectively when Parma host Siena.

And in another relegation scrap, second-bottom Cesena are at home to Novara, who are level on points in 18th place.

Palermo travel to face Chievo Verona in a mid-table contest, while on Monday, sixth-placed Napoli will be confident of taking all three points in their match at home to struggling Bologna.