Juve showdown with Milan

Italian champions Juventus, fresh from setting a new record for the best start to a Serie A season, face title rivals Milan at the San Siro today in the biggest game of the campaign so far.

An 80,000 capacity crowd is expected for the game between the top two sides in Serie A with Juventus hoping to extend their run of nine straight wins this season.

Milan are five points behind their rivals and while Carlo Ancelotti's side have yet to truly sparkle they have a 100 per cent home record and will be keen to avenge last season's defeat to Juve.

The 1-0 win by Fabio Capello's side at the San Siro in May effectively secured the club's record 28th 'scudetto' and while this encounter comes early in the campaign the scorer in last season's match, French forward David Trezeguet says there is already much at stake.

"We are going to the San Siro in an ideal position - five points are a fair gap at this stage and eight would be even better," he said.

"They are the ones who have to take the game to us if they want to win and if they want to catch us up.

"But it will be the same Juventus and we certainly don't lack any motivation for this match. We want to give a show of force even if there is still a long way to go," he said.

Trezeguet's compatriot, midfielder Patrick Vieira, has recovered from a groin injury and is likely to start alongside Brazilian Emerson in the centre of midfield for Juve.

Goalkeeper Christian Abbiati, on loan from Milan as cover for the injured Gianluigi Buffon, is struggling with flu and a knee injury so third-choice keeper Antonio Chimenti is on stand-by.

Capello faces a tough choice in attack where Alessandro Del Piero's recent good form is putting pressure on Trezeguet and Swede Zlatan Ibrahimovic, while Romanian Adrian Mutu has also impressed recently in a wide role.

Milan's attacking options are reduced by a foot injury to European Footballer of the Year Andriy Shevchenko, who is doubtful for the game, but Ancelotti has been given a boost in the past two matches by the scoring form of his other strikers.

Former Juve forward Filippo Inzaghi, back from long-term injuries scored his first goal in 19 months in Sunday's win over Palermo while at Empoli on Wednesday Christian Vieri was on target for the first time since joining the club from Inter during the close season.

Alberto Gilardino, a 24 million euro signing from Parma, scored twice in the 3-1 victory at Empoli but has yet to do so in front of his own fans.

"I hope to break my duck at the San Siro. It's not something that is weighing on me but after scoring five goals away from home it would be nice to get on the scoresheet. But the important thing is winning not who scores the goals," he said.

Also today fourth-placed Inter, who trail Juve by nine points after Wednesday's home defeat to Roma, face a tricky away trip to Sampdoria.

Inter coach Roberto Mancini has been barred from the bench for the club's next two games due to comments he made to the referee after Wednesday's 3-2 home defeat by Roma.

Inter's Argentine midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron has also been given a two-match ban following his red card in the game.

Tomorrow, Fiorentina, who have moved above Inter into third place, are at home to Cagliari while Udinese are at home to fifth placed Palermo.