Inter Milan play host to Juventus on Sunday evening looking to register a sixth win of the campaign that would also put the Nerazzurri 11 points clear of last year's champions.
Juventus are still smarting from suffering as many defeats in seven games as they did during the whole of last season, but a win on Sunday would move the Bianconeri back into contention.
Inter Milan
© Getty Images
After guiding Inter to eighth place last season, Roberto Mancini began this campaign with added responsibility on his shoulders to earn the club a return to the European stage, but their opening seven games have suggested that they should perhaps be aiming higher.
Five victories from seven outings, which have also included four clean sheets, have left Inter sitting in second spot behind Fiorentina during the international break, and there is renewed optimism at the club that they can at least finish in the top three for the first time since 2011.
The 4-1 humbling by Fiorentina brought Mancini and his squad back down to earth to a certain extent, but that defeat stemmed from three goals being scored in the opening 23 minutes and Miranda being dismissed on the half-hour mark. Inter were poor on that day, but it could be considered a freak spell given that it is the only blot on their copybook.
Earning a point away at Sampdoria was deemed a respectable result given that the hosts had previously won three successive matches at home, but Inter will be keen to get back to winning ways, despite Juventus providing the opposition.
The defending champions have been below par on the domestic scene but their performances in the Champions League have proven that they still possess plenty of quality, and if Inter can claim maximum points on Sunday, they will be making a huge statement to their closest rivals.
Recent form: WWWWLD
Juventus
© Getty Images
Despite losing the likes of Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Carlos Tevez during the summer, Juventus would have still expected to be in the upper echelons of Serie A during the middle of October, so three defeats in seven domestic fixtures will have come as a shock.
However, their disappointing start has perhaps been a blessing in disguise. With four consecutive league crowns to their name, complacency was potentially one of the factors that resulted in them losing three times in five weeks, and their performances on the European scene have suggested that there is no shortage of ability or desire in Turin.
Triumphs over Manchester City and Sevilla remain the highlights of Juve's season, but their 3-1 comeback win against Bologna before the international break enabled the club to turn their focus to the teams above them rather than being concerned about an extended stay towards the bottom of the standings.
Beating Bologna will not lead to anyone associated with Juventus getting too carried away, but they will travel to Milan on the back of a success, something that Inter have not experienced since September 23. Boss Massimiliano Allegri will also take confidence from their opponents only scoring more than once in one game this season.
There are doubts surrounding the fitness of a couple of their star players, but if they line up from the start on Sunday evening, Allegri is likely to encourage an offensive display to try to claw back some of the eight-point advantage that Inter currently hold over them.
Recent form: LDWDLW
Recent form (all competitions): WWDLWW
Team News
© Getty Images
Paul Pogba and Alvaro Morata, who were both forced to cut short their time on international duty with France and Spain respectively, took part in training on Thursday afternoon and could play a part this weekend.
Midfielder Claudio Marchisio could also be involved, but both Stephan Lichtsteiner and Mario Mandzukic will be absent from the squad.
Hernanes, who joined Juventus from Inter during the summer, is likely to start on the bench against his former side.
Mancini has doubts over the fitness of former Juve man Felipe Melo, who is suffering from a muscle problem, but Stevan Jovetic, who this week claimed that he came close to joining Juventus earlier in his career, should start in attack as he looks to regain his scoring touch.
Inter Milan possible starting lineup:
Handanovic; Juan Jesus, Murillo, Miranda, Santon; Medel, Melo, Guarin; Perisic, Jovetic, Icardi
Juventus possible starting lineup:
Buffon; Chiellini, Bonucci, Barzagli; Evra, Pogba, Marchisio, Khedira, Cuadrado; Dybala, Morata
Head To Head
In the past 46 matches between the two teams, Juventus have recorded double the number of victories as Inter, with 20 wins being earned compared to 10 for Milan.
Since October 2010, a five-year period which has seen 10 fixtures being played, Juventus have won six times and suffered just the one setback.
Last season's match at San Siro took place in May, with a late Morata goal giving Juve the three points.
We say: Inter Milan 1-2 Juventus
Despite Inter producing the better results and performances since the start of the season, the recent matches between the two teams must be taken into consideration. Juventus have not lost on their last five visits to San Siro to play Inter, and we are backing that trend to continue with the visitors potentially having the firepower to grind out a win.
No Data Analysis info
