Serie A action resumes this weekend with the meeting of two of Italy’s most successful clubs.

Early season pace setters Inter entertain Juventus on Saturday evening, seeking vengeance for the Turin club’s Scudetto triumph last season.

Inter’s start to the season has been impressive, gaining maximum points from their opening four fixtures, leaving them four points clear of third placed Juve.

Inter will be buoyed by the return of leading goal scorer Christian Vieri. The former Juventus star, scorer of four goals already this campaign, came through a midweek training game with the youth team and is expected to lead the attack.

Juventus will be aiming to improve on their last result, a 1-1 draw with newly promoted Como. They will be without rugged defender Paulo Montero and forward Marco Di Vaio through injury.

Marcelo Salas is in line for a start as coach Marcelo Lippi also has injury concerns over last season’s top scorer David Trezeguet.

Second placed Milan will be looking to take advantage of any Inter slip-up as they travel to Bergomo to face Atalanta.

Milan, whose last competitive game was the 6-0 rout of Torino, will be looking to carry that form forward. Italian striker Filippo Inzaghi, is doubtful for the fixture, as a result of the foot injury sustained in his appearance for the national side last Saturday.

Roma will travel to Empoli, without talismanic captain Francesco Totti. Roma received good news this week when it was announced the player would not need surgery on his knee complaint.

It is understood that Totti has been training with the team this week, but coach Fabio Cappello is not risking further damage to the influential playmaker ahead of forthcoming key fixtures.

Elsewhere in Serie A, Lazio will be looking to establish their championship credentials at home against Piacenza.

Meanwhile, crisis club Torino will be looking to gain their first points of the season at home to Chievo Verona.

The Turin based club, have assured coach Giancarlo Camolese that his position is safe. However, rumours in the Italian press suggest that the club are lining up Renzo Ulivieri or Giacomo Ferri as replacements.
By Gareth Sibbald

Serie A – Fixtures

Inter v Juventus

Sunday, October 20
Bologna v Brescia
Lazio v Perugia
Torino v Chievo