Football-italia Preview : Juventus - Milan

The first real test of Juventus’ Scudetto credentials comes when Andrea Pirlo’s former Milan teammates come to Turin on Sunday night.

The Bianconeri are joint top of the table with Udinese and have been tipped for glory, including by Il Grande Milan Coach Arrigo Sacchi, who praised the work of Antonio Conte. The revolutionary 4-2-4 tactics garnered attention, but have proved to be very versatile and easily mutated depending on the circumstances.

Milan had a very poor start to the defence of their title, but the slender victory over Cesena last week and Wednesday’s Champions League win against Viktoria Plzen boosted morale. Above all, the injury crisis is beginning to ease and that could make a huge difference for Massimiliano Allegri.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic returned from a two-week lay-off to run the show against Viktoria, earning and converting a penalty before he set up Antonio Cassano’s strike. The Swede has been sorely missed, especially with Alexandre Pato, Kevin-Prince Boateng and Robinho all out of action too. Only Boateng is expected to make a recovery for Turin, as Massimo Ambrosini, Gennaro Gattuso, Philippe Mexes, Mathieu Flamini and teenage hitman Kingsley Boateng crowd into the treatment room. Luca Antonini and Daniele Bonera are fit again, while Alberto Aquilani will be hoping to start against the club he played for last season.

Juventus have only problems of abundance, as Vincenzo Iaquinta is the only fitness concern. Mirko Vucinic returns from suspension after his foolish red card helped Bologna snatch a 1-1 draw in Turin. His goals may well be needed, as the Bianconeri followed that performance with another unconvincing stalemate away to Catania.

The trip to Sicily saw Eljero Elia make his Serie A debut and he clearly has work to do before he can be up to speed with his new teammates. It’s likely he’ll go back to the bench for this Scudetto showdown, as Milos Krasic, Vucinic, Alessandro Matri and Simone Pepe should make up the attacking quartet, though Arturo Vidal, Emanuele Giaccherini and especially veteran Alessandro Del Piero are also options.

Keep an eye on: Andrea Pirlo (Juventus) – He spent 10 years at Milan and left by mutual consent over the summer when his contract expired. “I wanted new challenges,” he said, and the veteran certainly got them in Turin. Pirlo has already done enough to show he is far from ‘over’ and will be particularly eager to prove a point to Allegri.

Form Guide: Juventus (W W D D -) Milan (D L D W -)

Last season: Juventus 0-1 Milan

Stat fact: Milan have won in their last two trips to Turin, scoring four goals and keeping clean sheets. Their most recent defeat was 4-2 in December 2008, while the fixture hasn't ended in a share of the spoils since a goalless encounter in March 2006.

Juventus (probable): Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Barzagli, Chiellini, De Ceglie; Marchisio, Pirlo; Krasic, Vucinic, Matri, Pepe

Milan (probable): Abbiati; Abate, Thiago Silva, Nesta, Antonini; Nocerino, Van Bommel, Seedorf; Aquilani; Ibrahimovic, Cassano

Ref: Rizzoli