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Milan is 10 points behind Inter heading into the clash with its fiercest rival, with only 11 games left to play in Serie A this season.

The Rossoneri got back to winning ways with a late 2-0 win over Cremonese last weekend, having drawn and lost its two games beforehand to lose some ground on the league leader.

Allegri has remained insistent that Milan's sole focus is on securing a UEFA Champions League place this season, but that does not mean he has ruled his side out of the title race completely.

Asked if he felt Milan would be able to catch Inter if it won the derby, Allegri said: "You never know what happens in football.

"In the meantime, we'll just play tomorrow. I don't know if we'll reopen the race for the Scudetto, but we're five wins away from the [UEFA] Champions League, so if we win tomorrow, we'll be missing one less.

"After the game, we'll see if we're left at minus-10, at minus-7 or at minus-13 [points behind Inter]. Regardless of tomorrow's result, we know that 57 points isn't enough to achieve our goal, which is to return to playing in the [UEFA] Champions League."

As for Inter, a win at San Siro would see it move 13 points clear and solidify its grip on top spot.

Inter has won its past eight games in Serie A but comes into this one on the back of a lacklustre 0-0 draw with Como in the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final.

But coach Cristian Chivu is keen to see Inter return to its usual high levels in the league, while urging his side not to underestimate Milan.

"We've got to keep the good run going, trying to be competitive and seeking those variations that can allow us to express ourselves even better on the pitch," he said.

"We cannot change our identity, the one we have had since the start. Since the start of this year, we've improved and have a different approach to games, because we don't underestimate or overestimate anyone.

"What matters is what we want to do, how we control the game, and I think that the ambitions we built for ourselves deservedly this season allow us to be without pressure, aware we are facing a strong opponent."

Inter has been unbeaten in the league ever since a 1-0 defeat to AC Milan in November, and has the opportunity to win 10 away Serie A matches in a row for the first time since a run between October 2006 and May 2007.

However, Chivu believes the turning point in the league season did not occur after that defeat to its rival, but in the 2-2 draw with Napoli in January, with Inter winning the resulting eight league games.

"Since the start of this year, we've improved and have a different approach to games, because we don't underestimate or over-estimate anyone," he said.

"Milan has top individual players, but we must be the best version of ourselves.

"I expect consistency in all the good things we've done so far, and the way we reacted to a few defeats and disappointments, such as Bodo."