Roma is looking to cross-city rival Lazio to do another giant-killing act and bring Inter within striking distance this weekend.
Lazio toppled second-placed Roma at the Olympic Stadium ten days ago to stretch the gap at the top to seven.
But then Inter lost to Juventus a few hours after Roma beat Empoli and Roma's task became much simpler: making up four points with eight games to go.
Roma, who visit struggling Cagliari at six o'clock on Saturday (17:00 GMT), are expecting Lazio to do the business later that night (19:30 GMT).
''We're due a favour and they've been red-hot at home,'' Roma boss Luciano Spalletti said.
Delio Rossi's men have reeled off six straight wins at the Olimpico since January, scoring 13 goals and conceding only four - of which two in the derby against Roma.
Rossi has two main injury worries going into the Inter game.
Striker Tommaso Rocchi has a knee strain and midfielder Cristian Ledesma has a bruised calf muscle.
But reports from the Lazio camp suggest both should recover in time.
Roma have an even bigger headache, with skipper Francesco Totti carrying a niggling knee problem.
The Italian press said Thursday Totti has only a 60% chance of making the Cagliari game and might be rested for Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final first leg against Manchester United. Defender Juan has been ruled out while striker Mirko Vucinic is suspended.
Spalletti will be glad the midfield trio of Daniele De Rossi, Simone Perrotta and Alberto Aquilani emerged unscathed from Italy's 1-0 friendly defeat in Spain on Wednesday night.
A Roma win in Sardinia would bring Inter to within a point, for an hour at least, putting extreme pressure on the champions.
But Cagliari have been in good form of late, especially at home, and will be buoyed after winning an appeal against a three-point penalty, moving up to third from bottom.
Inter have looked vulnerable since a much-publicised 'quit' vow by coach Roberto Mancini.
Despite a swift turnaround by the NeroAzzurri boss, the champs went on to draw at Genoa and lose in Turin.
Inter owner Massimo Moratti on Thursday dismissed speculation he was looking around for replacements for Mancini but the sports press was full of names like Liverpool's Rafa Benitez, Chelsea's Jose' Mourinho and Fiorentina's Claudio Prandelli.
Mancini, who starred at Lazio on the pitch from 1997 to 2000 and coached the Roman side before joining Inter, will be without midfielders Esteban Cambiasso and Luis Figo, both injured, and suspended striker Julio Cruz. But midfielders Patrick Vieira and Cesar should be fit.
Striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a doubt after pulling out of Sweden's midweek friendly against Brazil with a recurring knee problem.
Juventus host stuttering Parma on Sunday looking to consolidate third place, five points ahead of fourth-placed Fiorentina .
Fiorentina travel to Udinese, two places and six points behind them in sixth.
AC Milan, four points behind Fiorentina in fifth, host Atalanta with forwards Alberto Gilardino, Filippo Inzaghi and Kaka all doubtful.
Wonder boy Alexandre Pato, who scored a fine debut goal to beat Sweden, is likely to pair up with fellow 18-year-old Alberto Paloschi.
