Juventus are desperate for a victory and Serie A leaders Inter Milan are focused primarily on next week's Champions League match with Rubin Kazan ahead of today's "derby of Italy."
The game in Turin features a Juventus squad coming off two 2-0 losses - to Bordeaux and Cagliari. Inter, meanwhile, have opened up a comfortable lead over their rivals in the standings.
"We realize the importance of the game and we know we have to play harder than we did in the last two games," Juventus defender Fabio Cannavaro said.
With 35 points through 14 rounds, Inter hold a seven-point lead over AC Milan and are eight in front of Juventus.
"Right now, Inter have the momentum. They've got a very strong squad but we've just got to focus on ourselves," Cannavaro added.
After getting beaten 2-0 by Barcelona last week, Inter need a victory over Rubin Kazan on Wednesday to advance in Europe. Juventus also have a key Champions League game with Bayern Munich on Tuesday, but the Bianconeri can't afford to look ahead.
Amauri and Alessandro Del Piero will likely lead Juve's attack, with David Trezeguet back on the bench after a calf injury.
Inter coach Jose Mourinho might rest Samuel Eto'o in favour of 19-year-old forward Mario Balotelli, the subject of racial taunts from Juventus fans lately.
Italian football federation president Giancarlo Abete has already said the game could be stopped or briefly suspended if there is racist chanting.
Italian football is currently rife with racism. Last weekend, Juventus midfielder Mohamed Sissoko was on the end of abuse from Cagliari fans, resulting in a e10,000 fine for the Sardinian club.
Last season, Juventus were ordered to play one game in an empty stadium after fans abused Balotelli, who is of Ghanaian descent. The Turin-based club has already received a fine this season after fans sang racially offensive songs about the striker in recent weeks.
"I hope it's simply a night of football, sportsmanship and civility," Juventus playmaker Diego said.
Inter midfielder Wesley Sneijder is a questionable starter, while Maicon, Davide Santon and Ricardo Quaresma are all unavailable for Mourinho.
Ciro Ferrara is already facing some calls for his removal, but longtime friend Cannavaro has backed the Juventus coach.
"It's always tough to examine things after two losses but the coach has used the appropriate tones and analyzed what hasn't been working lately," Cannavaro said.
Tomorrow, AS Roma face Lazio in the Rome derby.
Lazio were eliminated from the Europa League after a loss to Salzburg on Wednesday.
Roma hosted Group E leader FC Basel on Thursday in the Europa League, and midfielder Daniele De Rossi is expected back against Lazio after a month out with various injuries.
Surging Milan host struggling Sampdoria today coming off a 2-0 victory over Catania last weekend that featured two extra-time goals from Klaas-Jan Huntelaar - the young Dutchman's first scores with the Rossoneri.
"We're hoping this is a good sign for him and that he can give us a hand for the rest of the season," Milan defender Gianluca Zambrotta said.
Sampdoria were beaten 3-0 by city rivals Genoa last weekend and fell 2-1 to Livorno in the Italian Cup on Tuesday. Still, with talented strikers Antonio Cassano and Giampaolo Pazzini, Samp still must be respected.
"They're a great team and they've got players that can change the course of the game at any moment," Zambrotta said. "I think it's going to be a close game until the end."