By Cindy Garcia-Bennett, PA Sport, Rome
Roma are hoping to spoil David Beckham's Serie A debut in Sunday evening's top Serie A game at the Stadio Olimpico.
The England midfielder is set to be included in Carlo Ancelotti's squad for the trip to the Italian capital.
Beckham, who joined the Rossoneri on a two-month loan deal from the Los Angeles Galaxy, is eager to make an immediate impact.
Milan enter their first official game of the year nine points behind league leaders Inter Milan.
"We will have to wait and see what Beckham's condition is," said Roma coach Luciano Spalletti.
"If we only evaluate his past performances and his play, he is probably a great champion."
Despite having to do without injured captain Francesco Totti, Spalletti is upbeat about his team's chances.
"I don't know how many stars Milan will play with," he said.
"It's probably going to be a difficult game but I have confidence in my group."
Inter Milan host Cagliari on Saturday.
The Nerazzurri go into the San Siro encounter on the back of a nine-game winning run in Serie A.
Siena travel to Turin to play second-placed Juventus, who will be boosted by the return of goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and striker David Trezeguet.
Juve trail Inter by six points and have been without the two players for several months.
A defeat for AC Milan against Roma could see Fiorentina climb to third in the standings provided Cesare Prandelli's men beat strugglers Lecce at home.
The Viola are unbeaten at home and trail the Rossoneri by a single point.
In-form Napoli expect to maintain their positive run at the San Paolo when they play hosts to Catania.
They have only given away one point this campaign in Naples and their form has allowed them to remain in fifth position.
Udinese aim to stop the rot when they host Sampdoria.
The Friuli outfit have taken just two points in their last eight games and a defeat against Samp could prove costly for under-fire coach Pasquale Marino.
Torino travel to the Marassi to meet Genoa looking for their first win on the road this season.
The Granata have collected just two points out of a possible 24 on their travels.
Palermo and Atalanta square off in Sicily with the Bergamaschi knowing that a defeat will allow the Rossaneri to leapfrog them in the standings.
Reggina will have an added motivation to beat Lazio on Sunday knowing that a victory could see them climb out of the relegation zone.
The Amaranto go into the encounter in Reggio Calabria two points behind Torino, who hold the last position of safety.
Bottom side Chievo will be looking to begin 2009 on the right foot when they travel to the Renato Dall' Ara stadium to meet Bologna.
The Flying Donkeys have won just two games of 17 this campaign and are six points adrift from Torino.
Source:
http://www.sportinglife.com