Inter face Samp test
Champions Inter Milan travel to Sampdoria on Saturday in a match that will prove a solid test of both team's title credentials.
Sampdoria were the surprise early front-runners in Serie A until Wednesday's 2-0 defeat at Fiorentina, a result that saw Inter replace them at the head of the table following a 3-1 win over Napoli.
Inter have been gradually improving since their disappointing opening day draw at home to promoted Bari and a victory at high-flying Sampdoria, just three days before an exhausting Champions League trip to Kazan in Russia, would be a demoralising blow for the pretenders to their crown.
The omens were good for Inter against Napoli as all three of their goals were scored by new signings and forward pair Diego Milito and Samuel Eto'o showed increasing signs of developing a growing understanding.
Meanwhile, Sampdoria came up short in their first stern test of the season in Florence where they could easily have lost by more.
Inter will be boosted by the return to the bench of coach Jose Mourinho who sat out a one-match touchline ban on Wednesday.
That did not seem to affect the team too much though and the game was over as a contest after half an hour with Inter leading 3-0.
Inter will need to be wary as Juventus sit only behind them on goal difference in the table and face a home match against Bologna on Sunday.
AC Milan are sitting six points off the top having won only two of their first five games. They slumped to a 1-0 defeat at Udinese on Wednesday.
Milan host unbeaten Bari, who have already left the San Siro with a point once this season when they went to Inter on the opening day of the season.
Meanwhile, former Italy boss Roberto Donadoni is under pressure at Napoli, who sit only one place above the relegation zone after one win in their first five matches. They host little Siena in a game they must win.
Fixtures
Saturday
Livorno v Fiorentina, Sampdoria v Inter Milan
Sunday
AC Milan v Bari, Catania v AS Roma, Chievo v Atalanta, Juventus v Bologna, Lazio v Palermo, Napoli v Siena, Parma v Cagliari, Udinese v Genoa
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