Serie A title rivals AC Milan and Juventus, level on 66 points with just nine matches left to play, resume their championship duel this Saturday with games against lowly opposition battling for survival.

Title-holders Milan host second from bottom Brescia at the San Siro, while Juventus play away to fierce rivals Fiorentina.

On current form, Milan should have no trouble securing three points from the Lombardy team that held them to a goalless draw back in November.

Carlo Ancelotti's side have won their last eight matches and 10 in all competitions, while Brescia have claimed just two victories from their last 12 games and are only two points ahead of bottom club Atalanta.

Milan received a huge boost this week with the news that Ukrainian striker Andriy Shevchenko is available for selection. The European Footballer of the Year has not played since fracturing his left cheekbone against Cagliari on February 19.

Milan's Dutch central defender Jaap Stam and Brazilian midfielder Kaka are both suspended.

Veteran Alessandro Costacurta is expected to replace Stam, while Manuel Rui Costa, who escaped unhurt after his private jet made an emergency landing at Milan's Malpensa airport on Wednesday, will probably fill in for Kaka.

Juventus renew hostilities with old foes Fiorentina, whose fans have never forgiven the Turin giants for prising their former hero Roberto Baggio away from them in 1990 for a then record fee of 17 million dollars.

When he left, thousands of heartbroken Fiorentina supporters went on the rampage in the Tuscan city for two days.

Juventus have won five of their last six matches, while Fiorentina have amassed just five points from their last 15 and are lying sixth from bottom.

Juve welcome back Czech playmaker Pavel Nedved, who is expected to start a match for the first time since being concussed in a Champions League tie on February 23.

FIXTURES
(all 1400 GMT kick-off unless stated)
Saturday: AC Milan v Brescia (1930), Bologna v Inter Milan (1930), Fiorentina v Juventus (1700), Lazio v Livorno (1700)

Sunday: Atalanta v Chievo, Cagliari v Sampdoria, Lecce v Siena, Palermo v Messina, Reggina v Parma, Udinese v Roma