On Wednesday Milan bounced back from two consecutive 1-0 defeats -- against Livorno and Bologna -- with an impressive 4-1 demolition of Messina. A resounding victory in Sicily coupled with Juve's surprise 1-0 defeat at home to Sampdoria took the reigning champions to within five points of Fabio Capello's pacesetters with 16 games left to play.

And with Juve facing a potentially testing time away to Palermo on Saturday, Milan could really crank up the pressure on their championship rivals if results go their way this weekend.

Milan captain Paolo Maldini insisted his team were still very much in contention for the coveted Scudetto.

"We knew we didn't play well against Bologna last Sunday, but we also knew that our challenge for the championship wasn't over," said the 36-year-old defender, who last month celebrated 20 years with his hometown club.

"When you have a dip in form you will lose ground, but against Messina we showed our winning mentality. We are relaxed as there are 50 points to play for."

Milan's Brazilian midfielder Marcos Cafu echoed his skipper's sentiments.

"After Sunday's defeat, everyone was saying we were out of the title race, but we know we're very much in it," said the 34-year-old Brazilian.

"We have never given up and the season is long. Everyone has criticised us, but we are staying calm. We have realised our mistakes and are trying hard to put things right."

Lazio are sixth from bottom and can ill afford another defeat if they are to avoid being dragged into a relegation battle.

Juventus coach Capello is confident of securing a victory in Palermo where the Turin club have not played a league match since the 1972/73 season.

"Palermo are always tough opponents, but I have faith in my players and expect a positive reaction from them after losing in midweek," he said.

Third-placed Inter Milan visit struggling Parma, while Udinese, in fourth spot, play away to relegation-threatended Brescia.

Fiorentina play away to fifth-placed Samporia on Saturday in desperate need of three points to end a dismal run that has seen them sucked towards the drop zone.

The Florence club's owner, millionaire businessman Diego Della Valle, has spent 55 million euros (72 million dollars) on new players since last summer, but his expensively assembled team have taken just one point from the last 18.

Fixtures
(all 1400 GMT unless stated)
Saturday: Sampdoria v Fiorentina (1700), Palermo v Juventus (1930)

Sunday: AC Milan v Lazio (1930), Atalanta v Livorno, Brescia v Udinese, Cagliari v Lecce, Chievo v Messina, Parma v Inter Milan, Reggina v Siena, Roma v Bologna