AC Milan vs. Inter Milan: Predicted Starting Lineups

When AC Milan and Inter Milan lock up Saturday afternoon at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, there will be a lot at stake.

Most importantly, just two points separate the clubs atop the Serie A standings.

A victory for AC Milan would give the Rossoneri a five-point lead with seven matches left to play in the Serie A season.

A victory for Inter would give it a one-point advantage, and of course a tie would keep things the same.

AC Milan, the designated home team, certainly has the motivation of playing against its former coach, Leonardo, for the first time.

Both sides have struggled with injuries, and the starting lineups could be slightly different as a result.

The Rossoneri could pull out some surprises through as Andrea Pirlo is close to returning after missing much of the first three months of 2011 with hamstring problems.

Christian Abbiati should be set to start in goal for AC Milan.

Ignazio Abate, Alessandro Nesta, Thiago Silva and Luca Antonini are expected to take up the four defensive spots. Gianluca Zambrotta has faced many injury problems of late, but is now available and could also feature.

The midfield should feature Gennaro Gattuso. The other spots will probably go to Pirlo and Clarence Seedorf, as Mark Van Bommel recently pulled out of international duty with the Netherlands due to a thigh injury. Mathieu Flamini or Kevin Prince Boateng could be the fourth midfield if coach Massimiliano Allegri chooses to not play with three forwards.

Allegri is limited in options up front as Zlatan Ibrahimovic is suspended, leaving him with Alexandre Pato, Robinho and Antonio Cassano. He will likely start just two and probably choose the Brazilians, as Cassano seems to do well when he comes off the bench.

While AC Milan will be without its most physical attacker, Inter will also miss its most physical defender as Lucio is suspended for the match.

Maicon is a safe bet for the right back spot. Javier Zanetti is expected to occupy the left back spot, as Christian Chivu is questionable after being injured on international duty.

In the middle of the defense, Andrea Ranocchia is expected to start even though he pulled out of international duty with Italy due a minor injury. Veteran Ivan Cordoba is expected to pair with Ranocchia in the middle.

Thiago Motta, Esteban Cambiasso and Dejan Stankovic are expected to start in Inter’s outstanding midfield.

Wesley Sneijder should then feature as the attacking midfielder with Samuel Eto’o and Giampaolo Pazzini expected to start up front.

AC Milan is the designated home team, but the Rossoneri should not be considered favorites. The club has struggled in the midfield with a number of injuries, particularly with the loss of Pirlo and captain Massimo Ambrosini, with the latter still being out of action.

Not having Ibrahimovic leaves AC Milan without a big presence.

Inter is certainly shaken without Lucio in the middle of the defense, but the Nerazzurri look stronger as there are not as many players out injured.

Look for the match to end in a 2-2 draw.