AC Milan eyes third straight derby win over Inter
AC Milan could deal a blow to Inter's hopes of retaining the Scudetto when it faces its city rival on Monday.
The title tussle is shaping up to be a two-horse race between Inter and Napoli, with both in impressive form, but AC Milan has the opportunity to shift the dial.
Sergio Conceicao's team is seventh with 34 points, while second-placed Inter is on 50, three behind leader Napoli with a game in hand.
A victory in the Derby della Madonnina could not only disrupt Inter's title push but also reignite the Rossoneri's campaign after an underwhelming season so far.
Milan has recent history on its side, having already beaten Inter twice this season – once in the league in September and again in the Supercopa Italiana final earlier this month.
A third-straight victory would give Milan more than just city bragging rights; it would mark the first time since 2011 it has secured three consecutive wins over its rival.
Conceicao, who made 41 Serie A appearances with Inter between 2001 and 2003, could become the second Milan coach in the last 35 years to win his first two derbies against the Nerazzurri across all competitions, after Massimiliano Allegri between 2010 and 2011.
Both sides face injury concerns, with Emerson Royal sidelined for Milan due to a calf issue. However, new signing Kyle Walker could be in line to make his debut after joining on loan from Manchester City.
Inter could be boosted by the returns of Hakan Calhanoglu and Francesco Acerbi, who are nearing full fitness according to Italian media reports.
The key question will be whether Milan can break down Inter's staunch defence.
Inter has kept a clean sheet in seven straight away games in Serie A, winning all of those matches by an aggregate score of 23-0. Only Milan (eight between November 1993 and March 1994) have achieved more clean sheets in a row away from home in the history of the competition.
Motta under pressure
Elsewhere, Juventus host Empoli on Monday in a match that Thiago Motta hopes will mark the beginning of a turnaround.
Juventus was unbeaten in the league until a narrow 2-1 loss to Napoli, but 13 draws in 22 matches have left it fifth, two points adrift of the top four.
After its 2-0 Champions League defeat at home to Benfica, the pressure is mounting on Motta to steer the team back on track.
Juventus has only won eight of their first 22 Serie A matches this season; the last time the Bianconeri won less than nine games at this point of a campaign was in 1987-1988. On that occasion, they won their 23rd game against Pisa.
Motta's side has been criticised for a lack of attacking thrust, and the average time of its sequences in Serie A this season is 15.2 seconds – the longest in the league.
By contrast, Empoli is the most direct side in the division, with its average sequence lasting seven seconds.
Motta also has issues in defence. Pierre Kalulu picked up a thigh injury in the loss to Benfica and will miss Sunday's match, and with Bremer, Andrea Cambiaso and Juan Cabal already sidelined, Juve's backline looks increasingly fragile.
Tough tests for Napoli and Atalanta
Meanwhile, Antonio Conte's Napoli travels to Roma, having secured seven consecutive league wins.
Roma is unbeaten in its last six league matches, though, having bounced back after a shaky start under Claudio Ranieri, who was appointed in November as the club's third manager of the season.
Third-placed Atalanta hosts Torino on Sunday, after a challenging run that has seen it win once in its last five league matches to fall seven points behind Napoli.
Il Toro could be awkward opponent, having gone five league games unbeaten (one win, four draws), last going six without losing between January and February last year.
Torino also won the return fixture 2-1, giving it a chance to complete its first league double over Atalanta since 2015-2016.
