With a players’ strike once again averted, AC Milan will look to maintain their lead at the top of Serie A when they meet Bologna on Sunday.
Milan top the Italian league by three points from Lazio following a comprehensive 3-0 win away to Brescia last week.
They did however suffer a surprise 2-0 loss at home to Ajax in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Qualification from Group G had already been confirmed prior to the defeat, but coach Massimiliano Allegri will be keen to ensure the result was a one-off by making a winning return to league action in the last week of matches before Italy’s winter break.
They will arrive at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara to find their opponents in good form – Bologna have won three in a row and will be eyeing the scalp of the league leaders.
In the late kick-off on Saturday, second plays third when Lazio travel to face Juventus at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino.
Edy Reja’s Lazio side piled further pressure on beleaguered Inter Milan boss Rafael Benitez with a 3-1 win over the defending champions last Friday.
The next test of Lazio’s title credentials comes in the form of Gigi Del Neri’s rapidly improving Turin outfit, who inflicted Catania’s first defeat at home with a 3-1 win at the Stadio Angelo Massimino last Sunday.
Roma played out a 1-1 draw away to Cluj on Wednesday to secure passage from Group E of the Champions League, but the stalemate leaves Claudio Ranieri’s side without a win in four matches in all competitions.
They have the perfect opportunity to get back on track with a home match against bottom side Bari on Sunday.
Struggling Brescia, clear of the relegation zone on goal difference only, are in action at home to sixth-place Sampdoria, while Catania travel to Cagliari. Second-bottom Lecce are at home to Chievo.
On Saturday, Parma are in Sicily to meet Palmero, Udinese play host to Fiorentina and Genoa are away to Napoli.
Inter and Cesena do not play in this round, with the struggling champions contesting the FIFA Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.
The tournament will provide little respite for Benitez, with club president Massimo Moratti rumoured to be set to replace the Spaniard if he does not deliver the trophy.
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