Serie A preview: Tough tasks at top

Serie A leaders Juventus and Udinese both face tough assignments in round six action this weekend.

Eighth-placed Chievo tackle Juventus but coach Mimmo Di Carlo has warned the Turin side not to expect any favours.

Chievo will stick to their defensive approach having already beaten third-placed Napoli this season.

“We didn’t allow Napoli space to go on the counter and in the second half put more pressure down the wings, creating a situation where we could win,” Di Carlo told the Gazzetta dello Sport.

“Juve play with the centre of the squad higher up the field, so I’ll have to modify a few things to avoid their rapid transitions in the final third.”

“This is the strongest Chievo I have ever trained. Many players go on the bench who are potentially first choice picks and we can still improve a great deal.”

Last season’s Serie B champions Atalanta take on Udinese knowing that, without the six-point deduction, they would be in the top five instead of 16th spot.

Udinese are unbeaten this season and are looking to secure a Champions League spot for a second consecutive year.

With 10 goals in the last four games between the clubs, and with a combined goals for tally of 15 already in Serie A this season, few will expect a goalless stalemate this time around.

Di Natale is the obvious danger man, but his counterpart for Atalanta, German Denis, is on loan from Udinese and will be keen to find the back of the net.

Meanwhile, Roma captain Francesco Totti has been ruled out of the Rome derby with Lazio on Sunday because of a thigh injury.

Totti sustained the problem in a 3-1 win over Atalanta on October 1 and was substituted in the 69th minute.

But after losing his fitness battle, the 35-year-old will take no part in Sunday’s derby, with Roma owning eight points from five Serie A matches.

“After having a scan in the morning at Trigoria, Francesco Totti continues his rehabilitation program with physiotherapy and swimming exercises,” Roma announced on their website.

“Over the next few days he will train separately in the gym. An ultrasound to evaluate the course is scheduled for next week.”

Totti has yet to score in five league matches this season after netting 15 goals in 34 appearances last term.

In Saturday’s other matches, Catania, unbeaten at home this season, face struggling Inter Milan, AC Milan are at home to fourth-placed Palermo and Napoli entertain Parma.

On Sunday, fifth-placed Cagliari are at home to Siena. Second-bottom Cesena, with only one point so far this season, host Fiorentina. Genoa should collect their third home win over Lecce and Novara will be looking to put more pressure on cellar dwellers Bologna.