Milan - Napoli are set to show no respect for giants AC Milan when they visit them late Sunday looking to retain the top spot in a surprising Serie A season.

The leading duo of Napoli and Udinese, who boast a better goal difference, have 20 points from nine games after convincing wins against Reggina and Catania in a midweek round, with Milan trailing on 19.

Champions Inter Milan welcome bottom side Reggina Saturday, but have been the least convincing among the top teams as two consecutive scoreless draw saw them lose a top spot they grew accustomed to in the past two seasons.

While new Inter coach Jose Mourinho appears to have lost part of his grit and optimism, his less famous colleague Edy Reja said that "everyone should be afraid of Napoli given the way we are expressing ourselves at the moment."

Argentine German Denis best displayed the offensive power of the Naples side, scoring a hat trick to demolish Reggina and finding great support from the inspired Marek Hamsik and Ezequiel Lavezzi.

"Let's hope we maintain this form," Reja said. "The team knows it can tackle any opponent anywhere. Milan have an impressive attack. If we manage to curb their strikers, then we know that from the midfield we can cause them trouble."

Udinese's Pasquale Marino had a softer approach as he gears up for a home game Sunday with tough Genoa, who last weekend drew 0-0 at Inter after being reduced to
10 men.

"It's good to be at the top," Marino said, "but let's be realistic. There are big teams behind us. We go into each game fighting for every ball, but as far as I'm concerned we need 20 more points to be safe from relegation."

Fiorentina drew 0-0 with Inter in midweek and trail them by one point, on 17, before a Tuscany derby with Siena, while Lazio and Catania follow on 16 and 15 points when they face off in Rome.

Roma, the other club from the capital, are the worst off of the powerhouses when they visit Juventus late Saturday.

The Turin hosts have a dozen of players on the injured list but have somehow managed to keep pace on 15 points, while Roma lag on seven points with a game in hand.

In remaining Sunday action, Atalanta welcome Lecce, Palermo host Chievo, Sampdoria entertain Torino and Cagliari and Bologna face off in the lower reaches. (dpa)