Arguably the biggest game on the Serie A calendar will take place this Saturday, as Milan and Inter do battle at the San Siro. The Rossoneri’s eight-point Calciopoli deduction means that this is virtually a must-win game if they are to retain any hope of winning the Scudetto, with the Nerazzurri currently 11 points ahead of their neighbours.

Indeed, Milan star man Kaka has talked up the importance of the clash – if that was even needed – by declaring it to be a six pointer for his side. Proof of how seriously Carlo Ancelotti was taking the game can be found in his team selection for the midweek win over Chievo. All the big guns will be back in the side after their understudies picked up a valuable win in Verona, their first in five Serie A matches.

Serginho and Giuseppe Favalli both remain sidelined with injury, but otherwise there is a clean bill of health for the Diavoli. Marcos Cafu is expected to come in at right-back for summer signing Daniele Bonera, while Marek Jankulovski, who was on target against Chievo, should make way for skipper Paolo Maldini. The other defensive change is likely to see Dario Simic drop out of the side to allow Alessandro Nesta a chance to make up for his costly Week 7 error against Palermo.

The influential Gennaro Gattuso will be champing at the bit after only making a substitute appearance against the Flying Donkeys, with Cristian Brocchi expected to make way for the ex-Rangers man. French sensation Yoann Gourcuff is back from a rib injury, but he is likely to only find a spot on the bench.

Much of the Rossoneri’s problems this term have come in the goalscoring department, with Alberto Gilardino yet to find the back of the net after suffering something of a World Cup hangover. Ancelotti is thought to have lost patience with the £17m signing from Parma, so his place is likely to go to Pippo Inzaghi alongside Ricardo Oliveira. It is worth noting that neither player has netted in the League since both were on target in the opening day win over Lazio.

Inter were also finding goals hard to come by until they put four past Livorno – who had one of Serie A’s meanest defences up to that point – in midweek. Is it any coincidence that their goal glut has come since Julio Cruz returned to the side? Nonetheless, Il Jardinero could lose his place in the side to Hernan Crespo, despite netting against the Amaranto.

Alvaro Recoba’s injury in that game means that he is not in consideration for a starting berth, so Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be looking to follow up his midweek strike with another in the derby. Adriano remains in Brazil though, as he looks to get himself sorted out once and for all after over 200 days without finding the back of the net in a Nerazzurri shirt.

Roberto Mancini is also expected to ring the changes throughout the rest of the side. Douglas Maicon and Walter Samuel should make way for fellow South Americans Javier Zanetti and Ivan Cordoba at the back, while Olivier Dacourt is expected to add some muscle to the midfield in place of Santiago Solari, with Dejan Stankovic moving out to the left flank.

There’s been plenty of talking heading into the game, but will the clash live up to the hype? Only on Saturday night will we know the answer to that, but it’s certain to be the clearest indicator yet of where this season’s Scudetto will be heading.

Man on fire: Julio Cruz (Inter) – Has quickly rediscovered his goalscoring touch since returning from injury in the past fortnight – can he keep it up in the derby?

Last season: Milan 1-0 Inter

Form guide: Milan (D D D L W) Inter (W D W D W)

Milan (probable): Dida; Cafu, Nesta, Kaladze, Maldini; Gattuso, Pirlo, Seedorf; Kakà; Inzaghi, Oliveira

Inter (probable): Julio Cesar; Zanetti, Cordoba, Materazzi, Grosso; Figo, Dacourt, Vieira, Stankovic; Crespo, Ibrahimovic

Ok I'll be litening to the live commentary on the website...no predictions from me...I'm sh!t scared right now.

But does mish's article mean that Paolo will play as LB?

Ok I'll be litening to the live commentary on the website...no predictions from me...I'm sh!t scared right now.

But does mish's article mean that Paolo will play as LB?

Not sure about Pirlo vs Viera, I would rather see Rino vs Viera (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/devilsmiley.gif)

It's Pirlo I'm worried about, a guy like Viera can easily mark him outta the game. And the 4-1-4-1 doesn't sound good...something's wrong here.

And dst my sig was made just for you to 'enjoy' ! (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) (IMG:http://cyrus.medialayer.net/~m1ke/milanfan.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

It's Pirlo I'm worried about, a guy like Viera can easily mark him outta the game. And the 4-1-4-1 doesn't sound good...something's wrong here.

Thats one of our big problems - Pirlo is not a DM. We ought to push Pirlo slightly further forward and remove his defensive shackles thus allowing him to play to his full potential.

(IMG:http://www.milanadictos.com/images/milan_inter0607.jpg)
Christmas tree.
Well kaka complained about it but i think the christmas tree is a good tactic