It's now or never for Inter

Anything but a victory at home to league leaders Juventus on Sunday will virtually extinguish Inter Milan's already slim title hopes.

While Inter host the 27-time Italian champions at the San Siro, second-placed AC Milan face a tough encounter away to Chievo.

With the highly-regarded Roberto Mancini installed as coach at the start of the season and a host of big name signings in a summer of frantic transfer activity, Inter were heavily backed to claim their first Scudetto since 1989.

But despite being the only team in Serie A still without a defeat, 10 draws in 12 matches have left them a massive 15 points adrift of Juve in seventh place.

Brazilian striker Adriano, who was suspended for the match against Werder Bremen on Wednesday which Inter unsurprisingly drew, will lead the attack, while Mancini will give a late fitness test to Argentine midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron.

Juventus, who along with the two Milan clubs have reached the knockout stages of the Champions League, will be without their captain Alessandro Del Piero.

The Italy international has a thigh strain and so Uruguayan striker Marcelo Zalayeta, scorer of the only goal in Tuesday's 1-0 victory at home to Ajax, will play alongside Zlatan Ibrahimovic up front.

Livorno, who have propelled themselves up to a respectable ninth place thanks to a five-match unbeaten run, host third-placed Udinese on Saturday.

On the same day, struggling Roma, without even the consolation of a UEFA Cup place following their 2-0 Champions League defeat to Dinamo Kiev on Tuesday, visit second from bottom Siena.

Regarded as one of the favourites for the title at the start of the season, Roma are just one point clear of the relegation zone in 15th place.

Buoyant after their Italian Cup third round, first leg victory against Juventus last week, bottom club Atalanta entertain Reggina in Bergamo on Sunday.