AC Milan's hopes of bagging a slot in next season's Champions League face a stiff test Saturday night when the giants entertain surprise qualification rivals Empoli.
The Tuscan minnows, whose squad was assembled at a fraction of the cost of their hosts', are fifth in Serie A with 45 points.
That puts them one point ahead of Milan (6th) and just three away from fourth-placed Palermo, the current holders of Italy's last CL berth.
Not bad for a team whose aim at the start of the season was to avoid relegation.
"If we win we'll be close to the Champions League," said Empoli defender Francesco Pratali Thursday.
"It seems paradoxical, but that is the situation the team finds itself in".
Pratali recognized Milan's superior class.
But he also expressed confidence Empoli could pull off a "great result", thanks in part to the psychological and physical strain of Milan's Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich.
Milan drew 2-2 with the German champs in Tuesday's first leg at the San Siro Stadium and have an uphill battle in store at next Wednesday's return in Bavaria.
"We hope to take advantage of a fall in Milan's concentration levels," Pratali said.
Empoli's biggest problem will be finding a way to stop Brazil star Ronaldo.
The three-time FIFA World Player of the Year returns to action after missing the Bayern game because he is cup-tied. He will no doubt be fresher than many of his team mates.
Leaders Inter Milan are looking to continue their gallop to the title on Saturday afternoon at Reggina (17th).
Inter have a massive 20-point lead over second-placed AS Roma and they may be able to toast the title in just three games' time.
Roberto Mancini is expected to rest his top-scorer, Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has a groin strain.
In his absence Argentina's Hernan Crespo and Brazil's Adriano should lead the Inter attack.
Roma take on Catania (13th) looking to repeat the 7-0 thrashing they dished out to the Sicilian side earlier in the season.
Catania, meanwhile, are seeking to end a 10-match winless streak.
This game will be played behind closed doors at Lecce. Catania have been banned from using their stadium following the death of a police officer in rioting at the Catania-Palermo game in February.
Third-placed Lazio are aiming to notch up their eighth consecutive victory at home to another struggling Sicilian side, Messina (18th).
Former Lazio idol Bruno Giordano will be sitting on the Messina bench.
Giordano was reinstated as Messina coach this week, less than three months after being sacked in favour of Alberto Cavasin.
Palermo are bidding to end a rotten spell of form and revive hopes of qualifying for the Champions League at home to Cagliari (15th).
Palermo have not won any of their last eight outings.
There are five more Serie A games on Saturday afternoon: Atalanta (10th) - Chievo Verona (16th), Fiorentina (7th) - Ascoli (bottom), Parma (19th) - Livorno (11th), Sampdoria (8th) - Torino (12th) and Siena (14th) - Udinese (9th).
