Serie A preview: Lazio, Juve meet at summit

Lazio host Juventus in a clash of the top two teams in Serie A this weekend, while Udinese await the visit of Roma.

With the two sides level on 22 points, Lazio can climb above Juventus to go top of the league, as they trail the current leaders on goal difference.

It is rumoured Lazio manager Edy Reja will drop out-of-form striker Djibril Cisse for the blockbuster, as the Frenchman has been goalless in the league since scoring on the opening day at Milan.

Should Cisse be left out, Tommaso Rocchi could partner Miroslav Klose, who is returning from injury after missing the draw at Napoli last week.

Elsewhere on Saturday, relegation-placed Lecce will host Catania, second-bottom Novara welcome Parma and promoted Atalanta take on Napoli.

On Friday, Udinese will welcome Roma to the Stadio Communale Friuli in the hope of furthering the gap the top four teams have on the chasing pack.

Udinese are four points clear of fifth-placed Roma, and will be keen to respond after a shock 2-0 loss to Parma last time out.

Roma, however, are on a two-game winning streak, and have also won their past three league affairs between the two sides.

On Sunday, AC Milan – third in the league and one point off leaders Juventus – will host Chievo, with both teams in good form.

Milan were on a nine-game unbeaten streak in all competitions prior to their 3-2 Champions League loss to Barcelona on Tuesday.

Chievo recorded back-to-back wins in the league in style with a 2-1 away win over Catania last weekend, and a win at the San Siro would take them to within three points of Massimiliano Allegri’s men on the table.

Other Sunday fixtures see Bologna travel to Cagliari with both sides on losing streaks, Cesena welcoming Genoa, Palermo hosting Fiorentina, and Inter Milan on the road at Siena.