Serie A Week 15: Weekend Preview

Inter coach Roberto Mancini is hoping his men can cap an excellent week with victory against Torino on Sunday.

The Nerazzurri have beaten both Fiorentina and Lazio in the past five days and, although they haven't extended their lead at the top of Serie A, Mancini is delighted with their progress.

A home clash with Torino is another test of their title credentials.

"This has been a hard week with Fiorentina away, Lazio at home and then Torino on Sunday and we'll have to play a great game to finish it off well," Mancini said.

Inter are three points clear of second-placed Roma, who have also gained six points from a possible six this week against Udinese and Cagliari.

"Roma aren't giving up. I think it will be a hard fight until the end," added Mancini. "It's important to have an eight-point advantage over the third-placed team, but it's too soon to talk of a breakaway because Roma are still up there and the championship is still long, and let's not forget that Juventus don't have European matches to play."

One blow for Inter this week is the news midfielder Olivier Dacourt could miss the rest of the season after sustaining a serious knee injury against Fiorentina.

Roma will be hoping to maintain their challenge with a trip to Livorno while third-placed Juventus, eight points off the top, host high-flying Atalanta in Turin.

On Thursday night a much-changed Juve side were beaten 2-1 at Empoli in the first leg of the last 16 of the Coppa Italia.

Udinese, who occupy the fourth Champions League place, host Sampdoria on Sunday while fifth-placed Fiorentina will hope to bounce back from their loss to Inter when they go to Palermo the previous evening.

The situation at the bottom is equally as intriguing as that at the top.

Four teams have 10 points - Empoli, who prop up the rest, Reggina, Cagliari and Siena.

Two of those in danger meet on Sunday when Cagliari go to Empoli in a match which may set the tone for the rest of the season.

Siena head to Genoa while Reggina's clash with AC Milan has been postponed due to the Rossoneri's participation in the FIFA World Club Cup in Japan.

In Saturday's first game, struggling Lazio meet Catania in Rome and the weekend is concluded on Sunday night with Parma travelling to Napoli.