AC Milan head into Sunday's derby showdown with Inter Milan holding a one-point advantage over their rivals in the Serie A standings.
I Rossoneri have put together a 10-match unbeaten streak in all competitions, but Inter have won just one of their last five games.
AC Milan
© ReutersThere have been times this season where reports have suggested that Gennaro Gattuso was close to being sacked, but AC Milan will be relieved that they opted to show faith in the club legend.
Milan have put together a run of 10 matches without defeat in Serie A, and the 23 points recorded during that period have been enough to move the club into pole position for a place in next season's Champions League.
Qualification for the competition is considered high priority due to their ongoing issues with FFP, and club officials will be desperate for success against their neighbours on Sunday evening.
Napoli still remain within their reach in second place, but Gattuso's focus will be on continuing a season-defining run of form which has transformed the ambitions of a side which at one point appeared to be struggling to qualify for the Europa League.
Their early elimination from this season's competition has proven to be a blessing in disguise, and the January arrival of Krzysztof Piatek has provided Gattuso's side with an extra cutting edge in attack.
The Pole has already matched the six goals scored by Gonzalo Higuain during the first half of the campaign, and the 23-year-old will expect to double that total by the middle of May.
Gattuso will be slightly concerned that his team have not been at their best since the start of March, with narrow wins being recorded against 10-man Sassuolo and at lowly Chievo.
However, the manner of the victories are further proof that this is a group of players who are prepared to fight for their manager at a time when many of their rivals are underperforming in Serie A.
Recent form: DWWWWW
Recent form (all competitions): WWWDWW
Inter Milan
© ReutersThere have been reports that Inter Milan are prepared to part ways with Luciano Spalletti during the summer, and the club's recent form would have done nothing to change any minds in the San Siro boardroom.
Just 11 points have been recorded from eight matches in Serie A, while Inter were dumped out of the Europa League by Eintracht Frankfurt on Thursday night.
The run of results have coincided with issues with star man Mauro Icardi behind the scenes, but Inter should be faring much better on both the domestic and European scenes given the quality still present in their squad.
The Europa League was regarded as an opportunity to try to qualify for next season's Champions League, and the failure against Frankfurt has only increased the stakes ahead of this weekend's encounter.
Spalletti is aware that a defeat would be considered to be a disaster given the respective league positions of the two sides, but a draw would not necessarily be viewed in a positive light given the teams which Inter must face before the end of the campaign.
Inter must also be wary of the chasing pack with Roma just three points adrift in fifth spot, but Torino and Atalanta BC are also well placed to take advantage if Spalletti's side cannot put together a run of victories.
Spalletti's biggest challenge could be finding a forward who is able to deliver goals on a regular basis, with the two strikes from each of Lautaro Martinez and Matteo Politano representing the highest total of any player in the league since the start of 2019.
There also needs to be an improvement from the playmakers, with none of Spalletti's squad contributing more than three assists in Serie A all season.
Recent form: LWWDLW
Recent form (all competitions): WDLDWL
Team News
© ReutersTiemoue Bakayoko missed out last weekend, but the Chelsea loanee is in line for a recall for this weekend's contest.
Ricardo Rodriguez is also available for selection after not featuring against Chievo, with Diego Laxalt the man likely to drop down to the bench.
Hakan Calhanoglu may return to the starting lineup, with winger Samu Castillejo only being named among the replacements.
Marcelo Brozovic has been dealing with a muscle problem, but the Croatian may be recalled to the first XI.
Matias Vecino will also return after serving a one-match suspension, but Radja Nainggolan remains on the sidelines through injury.
AC Milan possible starting lineup:
Donnarumma; Calabria, Musacchio, Romagnoli, Rodriguez; Kessie, Bakayoko, Paqueta; Suso, Piatek, Calhanoglu
Inter Milan possible starting lineup:
Handanovic; D'Ambrosio, Skriniar, De Vrij, Asamoah; Brozovic, Vecino; Politano, Joao Mario, Perisic; Martinez
Head To Head
Inter have not suffered defeat against their arch rivals in six contests, although four of those matches have ended in draws.
AC Milan last emerged victorious when they won 3-0 in January 2016, but that is the only time in 14 competitive meetings where either side has prevailed by more than one goal.
We say: AC Milan 1-1 Inter Milan
AC Milan are the form team heading into this contest, but we feel that being underdogs will suit Inter. Spalletti needs a performance from his side, and we are backing Sunday's designated away side to come away with a share of the spoils.
