Milan, Italy – The Milan derby is often one of the most anticipated matches on the Serie A calendar, and Sunday's clash between AC Milan and Inter Milan is no different.
Often times the game has major implications in the Scudetto race for both clubs, but this season Inter will be battling not for the title but for a place in the Champions League.
AC Milan closed to within one point of leaders Juventus on Wednesday after a 2-0 win over Atalanta coupled with Juve's 1-1 draw against Lecce.
Inter is three points adrift of third place and must claim a win over its bitter rival to remain the hunt for Champions League football.
A 3-1 defeat to Parma in midweek was Inter's first loss under manager Andrea Stramaccioni, dropping the club to sixth and leaving them in danger of not only missing out on the Champions League but also possibly a place in European altogether.
There will be plenty at stake for both teams, with the Rossoneri trying to also overturn a 1-0 defeat to Inter from their first meeting this season.
Juventus hit a bit of a snag on its way to the title as the Old Lady was held to a draw by Lecce, opening the door for a nervous finish over the final two games.
After winning eight straight matches in the league, Juve will try to bounce back from its setback in midweek at Cagliari, which owns one win from its last six games.
The race for the third and final Champions League place has become increasingly tight as Napoli holds that spot based on goal difference.
Four teams are separated by three points in the race for third, but Napoli is in pole position and will likely clinch the spot with wins in its final two games.
The first comes Sunday at Bologna, with fourth-place Udinese sitting level on 58 points with Napoli and hosting Genoa.
Lazio has fallen two points off the pace after a five-game winless streak and the club visits Atalanta in an effort to return to the win column.
Saturday's two matches feature Lecce trying to keep its survival hopes alive against a Fiorentina side that needs one point to secure safety. Lecce is three points back of Genoa with two games to play.
Roma's European hopes have been dimmed but the capital side can get back into the hunt with a home win over Catania, while Siena hosts Parma, Chievo visits Palermo and the bottom two sides square off as Cesena travels to Novara.
