Juventus and Roma defend their perfect record in the Italian league this weekend against Udinese and Reggina.
Juventus have scored eight goals in their two matches so far against Livorno and Cagliari, and their home match against out-of-form Udinese tomorrow will give them a chance to add to their tally.
Udinese have yet to win this season though the form of Italy international striker Antonio Di Natale, who scored twice in Wednesday's 2-1 Euro 2008 qualifying victory in Ukraine, will be a plus.
Juventus defender Jonathan Zebina will be sidelined following his four-match suspension for slapping a steward in the face.
Zebina was also fined 15,000 euros (US$21,000) over the incident which occurred after he had been sent off in the match against Cagliari.
Alessandro Birindelli is set to come in at right back in place of Zebina and Juventus coach Claudio Ranieri will probably field Domenico Criscito and Jorge Andrade in central defense due to French defender Jean-Alain Boumsong's muscular problem.
Udinese coach Pasquale Marino meanwhile is expected to have few options in midfield without Giampiero Pinzi, Dias Felipe, Christian Obodo and Raffaele De Martino.
Like Juventus, Luciano Spaletti's Roma have started the season well, beating Palermo and Sienna, to give them maximum points but, looking at the form book, the trip to Reggina could be tricky.
Reggina have done well at home to Rome in their last fixtures, with Roma only winning once in their last four clashes in Calabria.
Defender Christian Panucci is set to appear in the centre of defense with striker Francesco Totti supported by attacking midfielder Ludovic Giuly.
A win for Roma would not only keep up their 100 percent record in Italy but would set an optimistic note for their subsequent tough run of matches.
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