Juventus could extend their lead at the top of Serie A to 10 points for a day at least when they welcome AC Milan to Turin on Saturday.
The champions' quest for a fourth consecutive title has been strengthened in recent weeks, with their good form being coupled with a slump for nearest challengers Roma.
Four consecutive draws for the capital club have seen Juve edge further clear and gain a cushion that makes results like their goalless draw against Udinese last time out a minor blip rather than a handing over of initiative.
That draw was only the sixth time this season that Massimiliano Allegri's side have failed to take maximum points from a league match, with their solitary defeat now coming 12 games ago.
They have kept four clean sheets in a row in all competitions and their meagre tally of just nine league goals conceded all season is the joint best record in the top five leagues across Europe, matched only by Bayern Munich. Their record of 13 clean sheets, meanwhile, is the best in the top five divisions.
Unsurprisingly, their home record is also very impressive, with no league defeats and only four dropped points in front of their own fans all season. Indeed, they have amassed more points, scored more goals and conceded fewer goals at home than any other side in the league.
Allegri is unlikely to make many changes to his starting lineup, although Claudio Marchisio could be recalled in midfield. Arturo Vidal remains a doubt through injury, however.
Milan make the trip to one of their great rivals sitting a full 21 points behind them in the table down in eighth place, only one point closer to the Champions League places than they are to the relegation zone.
However, they did end a five-match winless streak in the league last time out as a Jeremy Menez brace helped Filippo Inzaghi's fallen giants to a 3-1 victory over bottom-of-the-table Parma.
That victory came at San Siro, however, and it is away from home where their major problems have arisen so far this season. The Rossoneri have failed to win any of their last six games on their travels, while they have only picked up maximum away points twice all season.
What's more, they have lost more games (37) and conceded more goals (124) away to Juventus in Serie A than any other side in the league's history.
New arrivals Salvatore Bocchetti and Mattia Destro both started in the victory over Parma and are likely to keep their places again this weekend.
Juventus:
Form in Serie A: WDWWWD
Form in all competitions: WWWWWD
Possible starting lineup: Buffon; Caceres, Bonucci, Chiellini; Lichtsteiner, Marchisio, Pirlo, Pogba, Evra; Llorente, Tevez
Milan:
Form in Serie A: DLDLLW
Form in all competitions: DWLLLW
Possible starting lineup: Lopez; Zaccardo, Alex, Rami, Bocchetti; Poli, Van Ginkel, Honda, Menez, Cerci; Destro
Sports Mole says: 2-0
Barney Corkhill
