AC Milan vs. Juventus: Preview and TV schedule

AC Milan appear to be slowly but surely improving under Clarence Seedorf, though their journey back to the top of Italian football is surely going to be a long and painful one. They host the current dominant force, Juventus, in their own back yard on Sunday, as the Old Lady look to extend their nine-point advantage at the top of the table even further.

A win would see Milan move right into contention for the Europa League spots, and would come on the back of consecutive league victories over Bologna and Sampdoria. However, with Juventus having only lost once all season -- going down 4-2 to Fiorentina back in October -- it's hard to see the rossoneri pulling off an upset.

They're certainly not helped by injury ruling their star man, Mario Balotelli, out of action. He's sidelined alongside the young duo of Stephan El Shaarawy and Bryan Cristante, while Sulley Muntari is out suspended. Giampaolo Pazzini will be given the nod in Balo's place, having only scored one Serie A goal so far this season.

Juventus will certainly miss suspended midfielder Arturo Vidal, though otherwise they only have rotation players unavailable.

Out: Mirko Vučinić, Simone Pepe (injured); Arturo Vidal (suspended). In doubt: None

AC Milan: Christian Abbiati; Urby Emanuelson, Adil Rami, Daniele Bonera, Mattia De Sciglio; Nigel De Jong, Riccardo Montolivo; Kaká, Andrea Poli, Adel Taarabt; Giampaolo Pazzini.

Juventus: Gianluigi Buffon; Martín Cáceres, Leonardo Bonucci, Andrea Barzagli; Kwadwo Asamoah, Paul Pogba, Andrea Pirlo, Claudio Marchisio, Stephan Lichtsteiner; Carlos Tévez, Fernando Llorente.