Triple threat Saturday: Serie A's Big Three clash amid Champions League countdown

Three of the four frontrunners for the Scudetto hit the pitch this Saturday, each chasing vital wins in Matchday 21. Inter Milan travel to Udinese (5 pm), Napoli host Sassuolo (8 pm), and Juventus visit Cagliari (10.45 pm).

With the Champions League round of 16 looming next Tuesday and Wednesday, coaches must carefully balance league ambition with European duty.

Inter welcome Arsenal on Tuesday, Napoli head to Copenhagen at the same time, and Juventus face Benfica the following day, fighting for a knockout stage spot.

Italian outlets predict that all three clubs may rotate their squads despite the importance of today's fixtures. Sky Italia reports that after gruelling encounters against Napoli (2-2) and Lecce (1-0) in the past six days, Manuel Akanji and Piotr Zielinski have expressed fatigue.

Coach Cristian Chivu will likely rest them, while Hakan Calhanoglu may sit out, with Nicolo Barella starting against Udinese. Croatian midfielder Petar Sucic could return to the starting XI after limited minutes in recent games.

Inter's attacking duo will also see a shake-up. After fielding Marcus Thuram and Ange-Yoan Bonny against Lecce, Lautaro Martinez and hero of the Lecce win, Pio Esposito, are set to lead the line. This depth keeps Inter at the top of the table - their bench is the league's longest.

Napoli, however, cannot boast the same luxury, especially with recent injuries to Franck-Andre Zambo Anguissa, Kevin De Bruyne, and Romelu Lukaku limiting rotation. The good news: Lukaku, yet to appear this season, is reportedly set to be available for Copenhagen, offering a huge boost for the reigning champions in the second half of the season.

The Partenopei have drawn their last three league matches: Verona (2-2), Inter (2-2), and Parma (0-0). Changes are expected today, with Mateo Politano likely moving to the bench.

Juventus close out the day in Sardinia and Serbian international Filip Kostic could finally see some minutes after sitting out the previous two matches against Sassuolo (3-0) and Cremonese (5-0).

SERIE A - MATCHDAY 21

Friday

Pisa - Atalanta 1-1 (0-0)

/Durosinmi 87 - Krstovic 83/

Saturday

17.00: (7.50) Udinese (4.70) Inter (1.45)

20.00: (1.47) Napoli (4.10) Sassuolo (7.75)

22.45: (6.75) Cagliari (3.90) Juventus (1.55)

Sunday

14.30: (2.90) Parma (2.75) Genoa (2.95)

17.00: (2.25) Bologna (3.50) Fiorentina (3.40)

20.00: (3.60) Torino (3.35) Roma (2.20)

22.45: (1.30) Milan (5.80) Lecce (12.0)

Monday

20.30: (2.60) Cremonese (3.10) Verona (2.90)

22.45: (2.75) Lazio (2.95) Como (2.85)

***odds are subject to change***