MILAN (AP) -Inter Milan could wrap up a fourth consecutive Serie A title this weekend, but needs to beat Chievo Verona and hope that Juventus can defeat AC Milan.
Jose Mourinho's side is seven points ahead of Milan. After this weekend's fixtures, there are three rounds of matches remaining. Milan cannot afford any slip-ups as a draw would leave Inter needing to take only two points from its final three matches.
Inter has enjoyed a relatively calm week following the 2-0 win over Lazio a week ago. However, leading scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic is ruled out through suspension.
Hernan Crespo is likely to take over in attack and line up alongside 18-year-old Mario Balotelli. Crespo's introduction in the second half against Lazio helped turn the match in Inter's favor.
Chievo has been in good form recently and moved out of the relegation zone, though it still needs a few more points to be sure of staying in the top flight.
Chievo drew 0-0 away at Roma last week. Much of the inspiration for the rise up the table has been striker Sergio Pellissier, who has scored 12 goals this season.
"Now we'll try and ruin Inter's party," Pellissier said. "We need the points more than them. We're playing the best team in the league at the moment when it wants to sew up the championship."
Juventus' week has been overshadowed by questions over coach Claudio Ranieri's future.
The former Chelsea and Valencia boss has been blamed for Juventus' run of seven matches without a win that has featured 11 goals conceded in five games.
Juve has slipped from second to third, with the possibility that Ranieri's team could end up in fourth place and have to play the Champions League qualifiers.
Even the news that Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro is returning to Juve in the summer has done little to soothe the fans' anger.
"The supporters must have patience," defender Nicola Legrottaglie said. "What we have been doing in the last two years is preparation for the arrival of something big. Everyone must believe in this project that we are building together."
In the first fixture of the season between the sides, Juventus won 4-2 against a Milan team lacking Kaka. Since his return from injury, the Brazilian has been the main inspiration to the side and helped Carlo Ancelotti's team to seven wins in eight games.
Also playing a major role in Milan's upturn in form is veteran striker Filippo Inzaghi. The 35-year-old former Juventus star has 11 goals in eight matches.
"Right now I feel better than last season and I hope and think I'll be able to play a few more years at the top," Inzaghi said. "I've never felt as good as I do right now."
Also this weekend, it is: Sampdoria vs. Reggina; Lazio vs. Udinese; Atalanta vs. Genoa; Cagliari vs. AS Roma; Catania vs. Fiorentina; Lecce vs. Napoli; Siena vs. Palermo; Torino vs. Bologna.
