Serie A preview: Lazio eye Inter scalp

Lazio kick off a weekend of Serie A action when they host a blockbuster clash with defending champions Inter Milan on Friday night.

Inter broke a four-match winless run in the Italian league with a 5-2 thumping of Parma last time out, and will be keen to build on that ascendancy before departing for the Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi.

Rafael Benitez’s men have improved to fifth on the table with 23 points, one point behind Juventus in third and seven behind league leaders and bitter rivals AC Milan.

Lazio, meanwhile, have entered a period of inconsistent form and could be vulnerable against an Inter side preparing for their last league clash of the year.

Edoardo Reja’s side started their league campaign in terrific fashion, notching seven wins from their first nine matches.

But the Roman club have secured just five points from their past five, including a 1-1 draw against Catania in their last match.

With Milan just three points ahead, Lazio will do all they can to secure maximum points and keep the league leaders in sight, but a resurgent Inter will no doubt present a strong challenge.

On Saturday, Milan will hope to rebound from a disappointing 1-1 draw at Sampdoria when the struggling Brescia pay a visit to the San Siro.

Brescia climbed out of the drop zone with a 0-0 draw against Genoa but will struggle to contain a scintillating Milan, who have lost just one of their past 12 matches.

Roma will also be looking to make amends at Chievo, having seen their seven-match unbeaten run ended in a 3-1 defeat at Palermo.

On Sunday, Juventus will aim to hand Catania their first home loss of the season when they visit the Stadio Angelo Massimino, while Sampdoria will look to channel their disappointment at crashing out of the Europa League when they host lowly Bari.

Udinese entered the top 10 with a 3-1 win over Napoli last round, but will need to avoid their third straight defeat on the road when they visit Parma.

Fiorentina will be without leading goal-scorer Alberto Gilardino when they host Cagliari, after the striker suffered a hamstring strain against Juventus.

Strugglers Cesena and Bologna square off at the Stadio Dino Manuzzi, while Lecce will look to avoid a fourth straight loss when they host Genoa.

On Monday, Palermo is aiming for a fourth straight win when they visit Napoli, who have fallen to fourth with two losses in their past three.