AC Milan face a tough test of their title credentials on Sunday when they take on a resurgent Brescia side galvanized by the return of Roberto Baggio.

The former FIFA World Player of the Year's appearances have been restricted due to injury this season and Brescia's form has been poor in his absence.

But the return of the talismanic striker has co-incided with back-to-back victories this year that has lifted Brescia clear of the relegation zone.

Baggio scored twice and created Brescia's other two goals in a 4-2 win over Siena and a few days later Brescia drew on his experience and composure to protect a 1-0 lead for 85 minutes against Lazio at Rome's Olympic stadium.

Second-placed Milan need all three points at the weekend to keep pace with league leaders AS Roma.

Defender Alessandro Nesta looked solid midweek when he returned from a knee injury to take part in Milan's 2-1 Italian Cup win over Roma.

The continuing absence of striker Filippo Inzaghi, however, means coach Carlo Ancelotti should field a five-man midfield with Andriy Shevchenko alone up front.

Other matches being played this weekend (league positions in brackets, kickoffs 1400 GMT unless stated):

Saturday

MODENA (14) v LAZIO (6) 1700

Lazio have lost their last two league matches against Reggina and Brescia, although the return from suspension of strikers Bernardo Corradi and Roberto Muzzi should give coach Roberto Mancini a chance to stop the rot.

Modena haven't won a Serie A game for more than two months and their cause is not helped by the absence of star striker Diomansy Kamara, who is on international duty with Senegal.

UDINESE (7) v PARMA (5) 1930

Crisis-club Parma put their financial troubles to one side last weekend by battling to a 1-0 win over Inter Milan.

The naming of corporate turnaround expert Enrico Bondi as the club's new president on Wednesday, however, has led many fans to believe it will only be a matter of time before this young and talented team starts to be dismantled.

Sunday

ANCONA (18) v PERUGIA (15)

Winless Ancona appear set for a quick return to Serie B after slumping to their sixth defeat in a row last weekend against fellow strugglers Empoli.

Perugia are also without a Serie A victory this season, but have done enough in their last two games against Roma and Juventus to suggest that they can take three points on Sunday.

BOLOGNA (12) v CHIEVO VERONA (9)

Bologna have pulled themselves away from the relegation zone with consecutive wins against Empoli and Lecce.

Chievo are strong away from home and will welcome back Brazilian winger Luciano, who returned to the club this week after a loan spell with Inter Milan.

INTER MILAN (4) v EMPOLI (17)

Inter need a win against Empoli to put Saturday's loss against Parma and rumours of a possible Christian Vieri transfer behind them.

The visitors, however, could pose problems if lively striker Antonio Di Natale produces a performance similar to the one that helped sink Ancona 2-0 in the last round of matches.

JUVENTUS (3) v SIENA (11)

Narrow victories against Sampdoria and Perugia in their last two league games show champions Juventus have not forgotten how to grind out a win, even when out of sorts.

Defence has been their major weakness this season, though the back four should be strengthened by the return of Lilian Thuram and Gianluca Zambrotta from injury.

REGGINA (13) v LECCE (16)

Talented Uruguayan striker Ernesto Chevanton returns from suspension for struggling Lecce in this clash of the southern clubs.

Reggina start without injured midfielders Mozart and Carlo Paredes, but arrive full of confidence after recent wins over Parma and Lazio.

AS ROMA (1) v SAMPDORIA (8)

AS Roma coach Fabio Capello must shuffle his defence to cope with a suspension to Walter Samuel and an injury to Christian Chivu.

A win on Sunday would send Roma into the second half of the season on top of Serie A, though they must be wary of Sampdoria, who have been the most dangerous of the promoted sides.

Close

Today's Top News		Top Sports News
+Holiday trips turning sweet and sour ( 2004-01-16) +WHO says SARS comes from animals ( 2004-01-16) +Taiwan spy ring broken with eighth man arrested ( 2004-01-16) +Chicken buyers defy bird flu scare ( 2004-01-16) +Parents air-mail kids for holidays ( 2004-01-16)		+Man Utd's Ferdinand appeals against ban ( 2004-01-17) +FIFA president calls for skimpy uniforms ( 2004-01-17) +AC Milan face Brescia test ( 2004-01-17) +Beckham doubt for Betis clash ( 2004-01-16) +Heinze staying put - Paris St German ( 2004-01-16)