Predicting Milan's Starting XI for the Milan Derby

AC Milan are joint top of the table with Juventus heading into Sunday's huge Serie A match with rivals Inter Milan.

The Rossoneri have not lost since October 2nd in the league and there only loss in that span was in the Champions League against Barcelona.

They take on an Inter team on Sunday that has been on fire. A couple weeks ago, the Nerazzurri were in 17th, just above the relegation zone, and they are now in 5th, coming off a 5-0 domination over Parma at the San Siro.

Milan need the win to keep avoid the chance of Juventus taking control of the championship. Who will Max Allegri go with in the starting lineup in this important match?

Goalkeeper: Christian Abbiati

Abbiati is healthy after missing a couple of matches in December, and made his return with a clean sheet against Atalanta.

Abbiati has had some great games against Inter Milan recently and will be hoping to continue that with a big game on Sunday.

Milan will be happy to have Abbiati healthy against the high-flying Nerazzurri.

Left-Back: Taye Taiwo

A lot of people are refusing to get on board with Taye Taiwo, who played down the stretch in December, but he should be getting chances.

He should get the start against Inter. He is big and physical and could really challenge anyone trying to play down the wing, especially Brazilian full-back Maicon, who is comparable to Taiwo in size.

On the back of rumors that Lecce's Djamel Mesbah will be joining Milan soon as a replacement for Taiwo, who was a Bosman transfer in the summer, Taiwo will surely be hoping to rise to the occasion, as he has made it known that he plans to stay with Milan.

Also, look at the other options.

Why did Milan get Taiwo in the first place, besides the fact he was free? It's because Luca Antonini has failed to capitalize on chances after a strong 2009-10 season, and Gianluca Zambrotta is barely even a shadow of what he was at Juventus and Barcelona.

Center-Back: Thiago Silva

In any match, any manager wishes they could have Thiago Silva in their defense.

Fortunately, Milan have that luxury every game.

Rarely hurt and virtually never suspended, Silva is sure to be in the match and play a vital role in stopping opponents from getting towards goal.

Thiago Silva has been a dominant force over the past few seasons and is turning into a true leader for Milan, well on his way to ascending to the role of captain.

Center-Back: Alessandro Nesta

Why not start Philippe Mexes?

Well, Allegri could just as easily start Mexes and not feel any regrets about it, but Nesta is doing fairly well this season and he's got a lot of experience when it comes to the Derby.

Nesta didn't play last weekend at Atalanta, so he may be given the chance with the extra rest.

Mexes provides extra speed and a more youthful energy, but Nesta has been around for a very long time.

Nesta works well alongside Silva and can help make a big impact on Sunday.

Right-Back: Ignazio Abate

The obvious choice at right-back is Ignazio Abate. The Italian has been one of the best in the game at the position over the last two years, and at only 25 he is going to be a force for a long time to come.

He got the game off against Atalanta, so he will be very rested heading into Sunday's clash. The speedy back is going to cause fits for attackers and Yuto Nagatomo, the slippery left-back of Inter.

After being wrongly sent off against Inter in November 2010, he came back with a vengeance in April and shut them down defensively and picked up an assist.

Expect a big game from Abate.

Holding Midfielder: Mark Van Bommel

Despite a drop in form from last year, it'd be crazy to prefer Massimo Ambrosini to Mark van Bommel at holding midfielder.

Van Bommel enjoyed his last Serie A outing against Inter, nearly scoring on a rocket from outside the box and providing an excellent link between the attack and defense.

Milan should be chasing a defensive midfielder in the mercato, but since they have yet to make a move, van Bommel is the best option to start right now.

Midfielder: Clarence Seedorf

Clarence Seedorf returns from injury while Alberto Aquilani is ruled out due to injury. As an experienced veteran who has played on both sides of the Derby in the last decade, Seedorf is a man that should be on the pitch, even if just for his experience, as well as leadership and inspiration.

It hasn't been Seedorf's greatest season, but injuries haven't helped the Dutchman very much either.

The 35-year-old could very well be leaving as early as this month, with Russia, Brazil and the United States all rumored destinations for the only man to ever win the Champions League with three different clubs.

Could this be Seedorf's last Derby? If so, he'll want to play the game of his life and maybe produce another brilliant Derby winner like this one.

Midfielder: Antonio Nocerino

Nocerino has been the biggest surprise on the team and in all of Serie A this season, no doubt.

After scoring only six times in about three years with Palermo, the 26-year-old has equaled that total in only 15 league games for Milan.

The Italian is certainly proving to Cesare Prandelli that he deserves a spot on the Italian National Team heading into Euro 2012 and if he keeps this up, he should definitely be competing for a spot in the XI.

Nocerino brings a liveliness to the Milan midfield that has been missing for years and that the club had been unable to find, until this half-a-million-euro diamond in the rough landed on their doorstep.

Nocerino is going to be a player Milan want to rely on for years to come, and he is certainly going to be a key player in the quest for titles as Milan look to return to prominence.

Attacking Midfielder: Kevin-Prince Boateng

No surprises here that Kevin-Prince Boateng will be playing behind the forwards in Sunday's duel.

Boateng scored the winning goal against Inter in the Supercoppa in August and has caused fits providing support for the forwards in previous matches against the rivals.

Not only is he providing support, but especially with his performances against Lecce and Barcelona, Boateng has proved that he is always a threat to score a goal worthy of the Puskas Award.

With his speed, energy, goal prowess and incredible passion, Boateng is always one of the most vital players on the pitch for Allegri.

Forward: Robinho

It's simple. Robinho plays better alongside Zlatan Ibrahimovic than Pato does.

Despite Pato just announcing that he was staying at the club and the success he had in the home derby last April, Robinho seems like the better choice.

Pato was so successful in that match because he was alongside Robinho, as Ibrahimovic was out suspended.

Two weeks shy of his 28th birthday, the Brazilian will be hoping to impress and prove he can get back to the goal-scoring form he had last season, when all three forwards netted 14 times.

Robinho now has only two in 12 games. Ibrahimovic and Nocerino can't do it all, so Robinho needs to step up.

Forward: Zlatan Ibrahimovic

As alluded to in the previous slide, it should be Robinho and Ibrahimovic up top.

Why would Zlatan not start? The Swede is level with German Denis of Atalanta and Udinese's Antonio Di Natale as the league's top scorer heading into the 18th round.

Most of his goals recently have been from penalties, but the 30-year-old will want to show that he still can add to his 12 goals thus far from the run of play.

There's also the idea that Ibrahimovic doesn't show up for big matches.

This match is one of Milan's most important of the season and especially against his old club, Ibrahimovic will be keen to impress.

Usually when he scores, Milan wins, so they will be expecting at least one out of him on Sunday.