Fiorentina to test Inter's title credentials

Inter's credentials as contenders for their first Serie A title since 1989 will come under close scrutiny when they host in-form Fiorentina at the San Siro stadium tomorrow night.

Inter have made a solid, if uneven start to their campaign, banging three goals past both Treviso and Lecce, squeezing past tiny Chievo 1-0 as well as being outwitted 3-2 by Palermo in their only defeat so far.

The team has created plenty of chances, but left many go begging, which is why they need star striker Adriano to rediscover his scoring touch.

The Brazilian promised great things with a hat-trick against Treviso on the opening day of the season, but has fallen quiet since then, though he is still expected to partner Obafemi Martins up front.

Fiorentina, meanwhile, are reacquainting themselves with life at the top.

Having flirted with relegation last time round, the twice-Italian champions look increasingly like contenders for a top-four finish, if not the title itself.

Under new coach Cesare Prandelli they have racked up an impressive series of results, including victories against last season's fifth-placed finisher, Sampdoria, and Champions League side Udinese.

Close-season signing Luca Toni is top scorer in the division, with five goals from four matches, underlining the fine early-season form he showed in hitting a hat-trick for Italy in a 4-1 win over World Cup qualifying rivals Belarus.

The rangy centre forward's finishing is only the most obvious strength of an excellent all-round team effort, marked by the contribution of the latest arrivals.

Stefano Fiore, who was brought in from Valencia, has proved tireless on the wing, as well as adding three goals of his own.

While Prandelli has a full-strength squad at his disposal, Inter will be without their captain, right-back Javier Zanetti.

Inter midfielder Luis Figo said he was expecting a close contest.

"They are playing some great football," said the former World Player of the Year, who has joined Inter from Real Madrid during the close season.

In the other matches, Juventus attempt their fifth consecutive Serie A win when they take on Parma, who are struggling to escape the lower half of the division after a 4-1 defeat against Roma midweek.

Paolo Maldini will set a record of 571 appearances in Serie A if he turns out to captain Milan against bottom of the table Treviso.

Serie A

Playing Today
Reggina vs Udinese 6 p.m.
Parma vs Juventus 8.30 p.m.

Tomorrow - 3 p.m.
Cagliari vs Roma
Empoli vs Lecce
Lazio vs Palermo
Livorno vs Ascoli

Sampdoria vs Chievo
Siena vs Messina
Treviso vs Milan
Inter vs Fiorentina 8.30 p.m.

Serie B

Playing Today - 4 p.m.
Arezzo vs Cremonese
Atalanta vs Ternana
Cesena vs Avellino
Crotone vs Catania

Mantova vs Rimini (3 p.m.)
Modena vs Pescara
Torino vs Vicenza
Triestina vs Catanzaro
Verona vs Brescia

Playing On Monday - 8.45 p.m.
Bari vs Bologna
Piacenza vs AlbinoLeffe