Rome - A tough challenge awaits Inter Milan on Saturday when they visit Lazio hoping to retain a six-point Serie A lead on their nearest rivals.

Both Inter president Massimo Moratti and coach Jose Mourinho have denied that their advantage over Juventus and AC Milan may be considered an escape from the rest of the pack.

But they'd undoubtedly be happy to see it unchanged after the closure of the league's 15th round of games.

"The (2-1) win against Napoli (last weekend) is already forgotten," Mourinho said, "because Saturday there is another game just as important. The league is not yet at its half-way mark."

Good news for Mourinho came from Brazilian striker Adriano, who should play next to Zlatan Ibrahimovic after getting over a bout of flu. In addition, compatriot defender Douglas Maicon has recovered from muscular troubles.

Lazio lost momentum after a good start to the season by notching a single point from their last three games. But they remain a formidable opponent, particularly at home, where only Napoli managed to edge them 1-0 in late October.

Along with Inter, Lazio boast the league's best attack, on 22 goals from 14 games, and also share with Inter the best defence on home turf, with just three goals conceded.

They trail the leaders by 10 points, but their morale was boosted in mid-week when they snatched a 2-1 win at AC Milan to secure the quarter-finals of the Italian Cup.

The defeat continued a dull spell for the Milanese Devils, who won just one point from two league games and have slipped behind Juve on goal difference.

A home game to Catania Sunday should give Milan a chance to recover ahead of a classic tie at Juve.

Turin side Juventus travel south to tackle lowly Lecce, who may be tricky at home where lost their first game against Roma two weeks ago.

After a terrible start to the season, the win in Lecce was part of the marked improvement for the Rome giants, who look to stretch a run of three wins when they visit bottom side Chievo on Saturday.

Roma lie 16 points from the top, with a game in hand, and have virtually settled for one of four Champions League berths rather than the title as their goal for the season.

Napoli remain well-positioned after their defeat at Inter and have a seemingly easy home affair against Tuscany side Siena.

Atalanta and Udinese battle at mid-table, Fiorentina welcome struggling Torino, and Palermo travel to tackle Sardinia side Cagliari after a memorable 3-1 beating of Milan.

Reggina and Bologna look to emerge from the relegation zone when they face off in Reggio Calabria. A derby between Sampdoria and Genoa closes the weekend late Sunday.