Rampant Lazio carry an eight-game winning streak in Serie A into tonight’s match at league leaders Juventus.
The Biancoceleste, who have scored 18 goals and conceded just one in their last six Italian league games, will attempt to solidify their grip on second place.
A victory would leave them nine points behind Juve with seven games remaining.
Juventus are unbeaten at home this season but they did slip to just their second defeat of the campaign last weekend in a major upset at bottom-side Parma.
“I’m satisfied with what we have done,” Lazio coach Stefano Pioli told the Italian press.
“However we have not achieved anything yet. We need to continue to work with focus.
“There are many games left to play before we can celebrate. Against Juventus we will try to go all out for victory.
“We don’t want to have any regrets after the game.”
The clash with Lazio comes at the start of a challenging week for Juventus.
Massimiliano Allegri’s team travel to Montecarlo on Tuesday for the return leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Monaco holding a 1-0 advantage.
The Bianconeri will then take on Torino four days later in the Turin derby.
Roma have won just two of their last eight league games to fall to third in the standings, one point adrift of Lazio.
Roma hold the last Champions League qualifying spot and host Atalanta tomorrow.
At the other end of the table, bottom-side Parma go into tomorrow’s match at Empoli following another major blow.
The club was docked four points on Thursday as punishment related to their financial troubles.
Parma had already been hit with a three-point deduction earlier this season for failing to pay players.
The latest setback has left Parma 17 points adrift of safety with 24 points still up for grabs.
Napoli, seven points behind Roma, take on relegation-threatened Cagliari in Sardinia.
Rafael Benitez’s side won 4-1 triumph at Wolfsburg in the first leg of its Europa League quarter-final tie Thursday.
Fiorentina are one place and one point behind Napoli and host Verona on Monday.
The Viola were also involved in Europa League action this week and held Dynamo Kiev to a 1-1 draw in the opening leg in Ukraine.
Sampdoria, who host third-bottom Cesena, are unbeaten at home this season.
Meanwhile, almost unnoticed, Inter and Milan clash at the San Siro tomorrow.
Milan are ninth in the standings, one place an one point clear of Inter and seven points adrift of the Europa League qualifying places.
Torino have clinched seven points of a possible nine in their last three games to remain in contention for European football next season .
The Granata are in eighth place and play at Sassuolo next.
A win over Genoa tomorrow would be enough for Palermo to defend their Serie A status.
The Sicilian club have collected 38 points so far to move 16 points clear of the drop zone.
Udinese, without a victory since March 8 and in the midst of a five-match winless streak, travel to Verona to face Chievo.
Fixtures
Serie A
Playing today
Sampdoria vs Cesena - 18.00
Juventus vs Lazio - 20.45
Tomorrow – 15.00
Cagliari vs Napoli - 18.00
Chievo vs Udinese
Empoli vs Parma
Inter vs Milan 20.45
Palermo vs Genoa
Roma vs Atalanta
Sassuolo vs Torino - 12.30
Monday
Fiorentina vs Verona - 20.45
Standings: Juve 70; Lazio 58; Roma 57; Napoli 50; Fiorentina, Sampdoria 49; Genoa 44; Torino 43; Milan 42; Inter 41; Palermo 38; Sassuolo, Chievo 35; Udinese 34; Empoli, Verona 33; Atalanta 29; Cesena 22; Cagliari 21; Parma (-7) 12.
Serie B
Played yesterday
Cittadella vs Vicenza - 0-1
Today – 15.00
Bologna vs Spezia
Carpi vs Brescia
Crotone vs Lanciano
Pescara vs Modena
Ternana vs Perugia
Trapani vs Bari
Varese vs Avellino
Tomorrow
Latina vs Catania - 15.00
Livorno vs Frosinone - 15.00
Monday
Entella vs Pro Vercelli - 20.30
Leading standings: Carpi 71; Vicenza 59; Bologna 58; Frosinone 57; Perugia 53; Avellino 52; Livorno 51.