Serie A preview: Milan, Napoli out to extend gap

AC Milan will be keen to extend their margin at the top of the Serie A when they travel to the promoted Lecce on Sunday.

Massimiliano Allegri’s side will be desperate to atone for their 4-4 draw at home to eighth-placed Udinese last weekend, as Napoli cut Milan’s lead on top of the table to four points with a 3-0 triumph over Juventus.

The league leaders last travelled to Lecce’s Stadio Comunale Via del Mare for a Serie A match in 2008, and were held by a 90th-minute equaliser from the hosts.

Striker Ronaldinho, who left Milan for Brazilian club Flamengo on Monday, had earlier opened the scoring for the Rossoneri.

Lecce will be hoping for a similar performance on Sunday to their heroic 2-1 away win over the third-placed Lazio last weekend, yet the club is still delicately poised in 18th place in the drop zone.

Juventus have gone three games without a win in Serie A action but have the ideal opponent to get back to their winning ways when they host last-placed Bari on Sunday.

Catania have won one of their past five, and Chievo none, as the 16th-placed side prepares to host the 14th team in a relegation six-pointer.

Second-last Brescia will hope to break a three-game losing streak when they welcome Parma to the Stadio Mario Rigamonti.

Cesena are 17th in the league, yet are unbeaten in three games leading into their match against the fourth-placed Roma.

Lazio will have the Lecce loss fresh on their minds when they host ninth-placed Sampdoria.

Genoa can move to within one point of eighth-placed Udinese with a win over their mid-table rivals, after Cagliari hosts Palermo in Sunday’s early kick-off.

On Saturday, European champions Inter Milan can secure their third win on the trot when they welcome 10th-placed Bologna to the San Siro.

Second-placed Napoli will host Fiorentina in the early game.