AC Milan could deal a blow to Inter's hopes of retaining the Scudetto when they face their city rivals on Sunday.

The title tussle is shaping up to be a two-horse race between Inter and Napoli, with both in impressive form, but Milan have the opportunity to shift the dial.

Sergio Conceicao's team sit seventh with 34 points, while second-placed Inter are on 50, three behind leaders Napoli with a game in hand.

A victory in the Derby della Madonnina could not only disrupt Inter's title push but also reignite the Rossoneri's campaign after an underwhelming season so far.

Milan have recent history on their side, having already beaten Inter twice this season – once in the league in September and again in the Supercopa Italiana final earlier this month.

A third straight victory would give Milan more than just city bragging rights; it would mark the first time since 2011 they have secured three consecutive wins over their rivals.

Conceicao, who made 41 Serie A appearances with Inter between 2001 and 2003, could become the second Milan coach in the last 35 years to win his first two derbies against the Nerazzurri across all competitions, after Massimiliano Allegri between 2010 and 2011.

Both sides face injury concerns, with Emerson Royal sidelined for Milan due to a calf issue. However, new signing Kyle Walker could be in line to make his debut after joining on loan from Manchester City.

Inter could be boosted by the returns of Hakan Calhanoglu and Francesco Acerbi, who are nearing full fitness according to Italian media reports.

The key question will be whether Milan can break down Inter's staunch defence.

Inter have kept a clean sheet in seven straight away games in Serie A, winning all of those matches by an aggregate score of 23-0. Only Milan (eight between November 1993 and March 1994) have achieved more clean sheets in a row away from home in the history of the competition.

Motta under pressure

Elsewhere, Juventus host Empoli on Sunday in a match that Thiago Motta hopes will mark the beginning of a turnaround.

Juventus were unbeaten in the league until a narrow 2-1 loss to Napoli last Saturday, but 13 draws in 22 matches have left them fifth, two points adrift of the top four.

After Wednesday's 2-0 Champions League defeat at home to Benfica, the pressure is mounting on Motta to steer the team back on track.

Juventus have only won eight of their first 22 Serie A matches this season; the last time the Bianconeri won less than nine games at this point of a campaign was back in 1987-88. On that occasion, they won their 23rd game against Pisa.

Motta's side have been criticised for a lack of attacking thrust, and the average time of their sequences in Serie A this season is 15.2 seconds – the longest in the league.

By contrast, Empoli are the most direct side in the division, with their average sequence lasting seven seconds.

Motta also has issues in defence. Pierre Kalulu picked up a thigh injury in the loss to Benfica and will miss Sunday's match, and with Bremer, Andrea Cambiaso and Juan Cabal already sidelined, Juve's backline looks increasingly fragile.

Tough tests for Napoli and Atalanta

Meanwhile, Antonio Conte's Napoli travel to Roma on Sunday, having secured seven consecutive league wins.

Roma are unbeaten in their last six league matches, though, having bounced back after a shaky start under Claudio Ranieri, who was appointed in November as the club's third coach of the season.

Third-placed Atalanta host Torino on Saturday, after a challenging run that has seen them win just once in their last five league matches to fall seven points behind Napoli.

Il Toro could be awkward opponents, having gone five league games unbeaten (one win, four draws), last going six without losing between January and February last year.

Torino also won the return fixture 2-1, giving them a chance to complete their first league double over Atalanta since 2015-16.