ROME, Oct 14 (Reuters) - League leaders Juventus will move to within one win of equalling the record for the best start to a Serie A season if they beat Messina at the Stadio delle Alpi on Saturday.
The Italian champions have made a perfect start and top the division with a maximum 18 points from six matches, five points ahead of AC Milan and Fiorentina, who share second place.
A win on Saturday would leave them just a victory away from matching the record of eight consecutive wins at the start of a Serie A campaign held jointly by the Juventus teams of the 1930-31 and 1985-86 seasons.
Few expect them to slip up against Messina, who have yet to win a match and have conceded eight goals in their last two fixtures.
The only worry for Juventus coach Fabio Capello seems to be the prospect of losing some of his best players ahead of next Tuesday's Champions League clash with Bayern Munich.
Midfielder Patrick Vieira is unlikely to play any part against Messina after leaving the field with a groin injury during France's 4-0 demolition of Cyprus in the midweek World Cup qualifier.
Giuliano Giannichedda is expected to take his place in midfield alongside Brazilian Emerson.
Juve's first-choice strikers, David Trezeguet and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, are also nursing minor injuries and could take it in turns to play up front with Alessandro Del Piero.
In the other matches, AC Milan striker Filippo Inzaghi has shaken off a knee problem and is poised to make his first Serie A appearance of the season at Cagliari on Sunday.
The 32-year-old Italy international has been plagued by injury during the past two years. Two ankle operations limited him to just 11 Serie A appearances last season.
A successful substitute's appearance in place of Andriy Shevchenko or Alberto Gilardino would give Milan options for the Champions League match against PSV Eindhoven next week.
Fiorentina, who have yet to reproduce their superb home form on their travels, have a difficult fixture against Lazio in Rome where the home side will be aiming to extend their 100 per cent record at the Olympic Stadium.
The Italian champions have made a perfect start and top the division with a maximum 18 points from six matches, five points ahead of AC Milan and Fiorentina, who share second place.
A win on Saturday would leave them just a victory away from matching the record of eight consecutive wins at the start of a Serie A campaign held jointly by the Juventus teams of the 1930-31 and 1985-86 seasons.
Few expect them to slip up against Messina, who have yet to win a match and have conceded eight goals in their last two fixtures.
The only worry for Juventus coach Fabio Capello seems to be the prospect of losing some of his best players ahead of next Tuesday's Champions League clash with Bayern Munich.
Midfielder Patrick Vieira is unlikely to play any part against Messina after leaving the field with a groin injury during France's 4-0 demolition of Cyprus in the midweek World Cup qualifier.
Giuliano Giannichedda is expected to take his place in midfield alongside Brazilian Emerson.
Juve's first-choice strikers, David Trezeguet and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, are also nursing minor injuries and could take it in turns to play up front with Alessandro Del Piero.
In the other matches, AC Milan striker Filippo Inzaghi has shaken off a knee problem and is poised to make his first Serie A appearance of the season at Cagliari on Sunday.
The 32-year-old Italy international has been plagued by injury during the past two years. Two ankle operations limited him to just 11 Serie A appearances last season.
A successful substitute's appearance in place of Andriy Shevchenko or Alberto Gilardino would give Milan options for the Champions League match against PSV Eindhoven next week.
Fiorentina, who have yet to reproduce their superb home form on their travels, have a difficult fixture against Lazio in Rome where the home side will be aiming to extend their 100 per cent record at the Olympic Stadium.
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