Today's Serie A matches

Atalanta vs Messina - Atalanta's bid to avoid relegation faltered last week when they lost to Udinese, leaving them five points adrift of the safety zone. Messina will be without suspended attacking midfielder Carmine Coppola.

Brescia vs Inter - Brescia's run of five games without defeat has given them a fighting chance of avoiding the drop.

Inter, meanwhile, look safe in third and are expected to stick with the strike partnership of Christian Vieri and Obafemi Martins while Adriano recovers from injury.

Cagliari vs Palermo - Palermo need a win to push their claim for a UEFA Cup place but could struggle against Cagliari, who have an excellent record at the Stadio Sant'Elia this season.

Even without suspended striker Antonio Langella, the hosts can count on an attacking trio of Gianfranco Zola, Italy's Mauro Esposito and under-21 prospect Rolando Bianchi.

Chievo vs Fiorentina - Fiorentina played some lively football and were unlucky to lose 2-1 to Milan last week but would settle for an ugly game and three points as they try to escape the relegation zone. The absence of suspended Dario Dainelli could prove costly against a Chievo side also battling against the drop.

Lazio vs Udinese - Udinese beat Lazio 3-0 earlier this season and could do with a similar result to hold off the challenge of Sampdoria for Italy's fourth and final Champions League berth. Their task has been made a little easier by the suspension of Lazio winger Cesar.

Livorno vs Siena - Siena are still hanging over the relegation zone but welcome back midfielder Roberto D'Aversa from injury. Livorno striker Cristiano Lucarelli will be full of confidence after scoring four goals in last week's 6-4 defeat by Parma.

Milan vs Juve - Reigning champions Milan and Juve have been locked together at the top for so long that this match has been billed as a playoff for the title even though three rounds will remain.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic's suspension should mean David Trezeguet and Alessandro Del Piero will spearhead the visitors' attack.

Milan captain Paolo Maldini is expected to play, despite being kicked in the head during the midweek Champions League semi-final against PSV Eindhoven.

Parma vs Roma - Parma's midweek UEFA Cup exit at the semi-final stage means they can focus on the fight against relegation. This match promises to be a confrontation between prolific strikers, Parma's Alberto Gilardino and Roma's Vincenzo Montella, who head the Serie A scorers with 21 goals apiece.

Reggina vs Bologna - Despite their mid-table standings, both sides have been going through periods of poor form recently and could use a win to put space between themselves and the red zone. Bologna have failed to win in their last seven games, while Reggina's last victory came against Roma in February.

Sampdoria vs Lecce - Champions League-chasing Sampdoria face a tricky match against Lecce, who beat Lazio 5-3 last weekend. Midfielder Samuele Dalla Bona is suspended for the visitors.

Serie A

Playing Today - 3 p.m.
Atalanta vs Messina
Brescia vs Inter
Cagliari vs Palermo
Chievo vs Fiorentina
Lazio vs Udinese

Livorno vs Siena
Milan vs Juventus
Parma vs Roma
Reggina vs Bologna
Sampdoria vs Lecce

Serie B

Catania vs Treviso 3-0
Crotone vs Genoa 0-0
Empoli vs Vicenza 2-1
Modena vs Cesena (Friday) 4-0
Perugia vs Catanzaro 4-0

Pescara vs Verona 1-1
Piacenza vs Triestina 0-0
Ternana vs Ascoli 2-0
Torino vs Arezzo 1-0
Venezia vs Bari 1-0

Playing Tomorrow - 8.45 p.m.
Salernitana vs AlbinoLeffe