Inter Milan go into Wednesday's game at Parma looking to take a vice-like grip on top spot in Serie A.

The Nerazzurri go into the encounter at the Ennio Tardini stadium eight points clear of Roma and 10 ahead of AC Milan after the weekend's 3-0 triumph against Cagliari.

Wednesday's game was scheduled to be played last month but was postponed due to snow in Parma.

"The victory over Cagliari was very important," admitted Inter coach Jose Mourinho. "It has allowed us to take a 10-point lead over AC Milan.

"Our results in the month of January have given us so much confidence and self-belief.

"We have gained a lot of mental strength and taken important wins since the start of the year."

Mourinho's men have won 16 and lost just two of their 22 league games this season.

"I think if we continue playing like this it is going to be very difficult for any team to catch up with us," admitted Inter midfielder Thiago Motta.

"There are still many games left to play and we just have to focus on ourselves and not on the teams that are behind us in the standings."

Rivals Parma know they face an almost impossible task as they attempt to end Inter's seven-match unbeaten run and clinch their first victory since December.

The Nerazzurri have the strongest defence in the league, conceding only 19 goals, while their attack is the most potent with 48 goals scored.

"It's going to be a very difficult game for us," admitted Parma midfielder Daniele Galloppa. "We need to play a perfect game if we are to get a positive result against the strongest team in Serie A."

Having ended 2009 in fifth position in the standings, Francesco Guidolin's side have struggled in every department since then.

Last weekend's 2-1 loss at Palermo marked their fifth defeat in six games and with just one point collected since December 16, Galloppa knows his side must react immediately to maintain their Serie A status.

"We have important games coming up against teams that, like us, will battle to avoid the drop," said Galloppa, whose side are seven points clear of the drop zone.

"The time has come for all of us to show our worth and turn around our fortunes, starting tomorrow."

The promoted outfit lie 13th in the standings and a positive result on Wednesday would be a big boost to morale in view of the challenging schedule that awaits them, with games against Lazio, Cagliari and Sampdoria coming up this month.

However, Guidolin suffered a big blow ahead of tomorrow's encounter with midfielder Blerim Dzemaili ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury sustained at the weekend.

Dzemaili has joined Damiano Zenoni and former Inter striker Hernan Crespo on the injured list.

To add to the Gialloblu's woes, defenders Massimo Paci and Cristian Panucci are both suspended.

The visitors will be without injured pair Cristian Chivu and Dejan Stankovic, while winger Wesley Sneijder serves a one-match ban.