Juventus will welcome back captain Alessandro del Piero for Sunday's game against Udinese.

The 35-year-old striker has been out with a thigh injury for over a month but is set to return to action.

Del Piero's absence has not hindered the Bianconeri, who are in second place and five points behind Serie A leaders Inter Milan.

"I see an in-form Juventus side," said Del Piero.

"I am fully recovered and eager to return to play. In order to catch Inter, we have to remain strong and hope Jose Mourinho's side has a drop in form."

Inter Milan are not the only club Ciro Ferrara's Juve are keeping an eye on.

Failure to win for Juventus could see AC Milan, who face red-hot Cagliari, leapfrog them in the standings.

The Turin giants go into this weekend's action just two points clear of Milan.

Cagliari, meanwhile, will travel to the San Siro on the back of four straight wins.

Serie A leaders Inter have suffered a blow heading into Saturday's encounter at Bologna with the news that Davide Santon will be out of action for at least a month.

The defender has undergone knee surgery after damaging his meniscus while on duty with Italy's under-21 side this week and is out indefinitely.

Fiorentina striker Stevan Jovetic is set to miss out on Sunday's clash against Parma after failing to recover from a foot injury.

The Viola, who are fourth in the standings, will be hoping they can again overcome his absence as they head into this weekend's match on the back of two straight wins.

Anything but a win for Fiorentina would see Sampdoria move into the last Champions League qualifying spot as the Blucerchiati are level on 21 points with the Viola.

Samp will have to show a vast improvement against Chievo after claiming just one point in the last three rounds.

Genoa will fancy their chances of taking maximum points at Livorno after claiming seven points from a possible nine in their last three games to climb to sixth in the table.

Palermo coach Walter Zenga was handed a vote of confidence ahead of Sunday's Sicilian derby clash against Catania.

Zenga is under pressure with his team having failed to win in its last three encounters.

Roma will be bolstered by Francesco Totti's return when they host Bari.

The Roma captain has recovered from knee surgery and is back in the squad.

Totti, who has been out of action for over a month, is the team's top scorer with six goals.

The Romans are 13th and six points adrift of Fiorentina.

A defeat on Sunday at Napoli could bring to an end coach Davide Ballardini's tenure at Lazio.

The Biancoceleste have failed to win in the league since August 30 and their poor form has seen them drop to 16th in the standings, just two points clear of the relegation zone.

Atalanta will look to stop the rot when they travel to bottom side Siena on Sunday.

The Bergamaschi, who hold the last position of safety, have lost their last three games.