LONDON. Dec 31:

Lunaway Italian league leaders AC i Milan alm to start the new year the '■ §2^23 way they ended

the old — with yet another record, reports Reuter.

Victory over AS Roma on Sunday would give, the champions a seventh consecutive away win, a feat never achieved in the Italian First Division.

But history is on the side of the Romans. It was Roma who beat Juventus in January 1977 after the Turin team had reeled off six straight away wins.

Milan equalled that record with a 2-1 victory at Sampdoria on December 23, a result which made them the only Italian team to complete a calendar year without league defeat.

They have gone 48 league matches unbeaten.

With European footballer-of-the-ycar Marco van Basten still injured, Milan are expected to field French striker Jean-Pierre Papin and Dutchmen Frank Rijkaard and Ruud Gullit as their permitted foreign

UEFA Cup quarter-finalists Roma have found some league form recently with six points from four matches before the brief Christmas break.

They are expected to be without former Red Star Belgrade midfielder Sinisa Mlhajlovic. who has a foot injury

Milan, with 23 points from 13 games, lead the lop-sided table by eight points.

As they disappear into the distance, chaos reigns below where only three points separate second-placed Fiorentina from Foggla, who occupy the fourth relegation spot.

Torino and Internazionale are level on 15 points with Fiorentina.

Danis winger Brian Laudrup returns after suspension as Fiorentina entertain Atlanta on Sunday.

Tbrino face a tough trip to Sardinia to meet Cagliari w.iiit Uruguayan striker ^2* returns after injury • esfrrter host Genoa.

England midfielder Paul Gascoigne will miss Lazio's trip to Ancona after injuring a thigh in training.

Gascoigne has flown home to be at the side of his father who is in hospital after surgery to remove a cyst from his leg.

Fellow Englishman David Platt, who recently underwent knee surgery, has not recovered to play for fifth-placed Juventus against Parma.

But Juventus welcome back gifted playmaker Roberto Baggio for his first appearance since suffering a rib injury playing for Italy in November.

Napoli, champions In 1987 and 1990 but threatened by relegation, must win their home match against bottom club Pescara. Third from bottom with just eight points, Napoli will be without sus-

pended Brazilian striker Ca-rcca and defender Paolo Zili-ani, who has knee trouble.

Though leagues in Germany, France and the Netherlands remain idle this weekend, Spanish football returns with victory beckoning for league leaders Deportivo Coruna.

Deportivo, at home to Es-panol, have dropped just one point in their last seven home games, Espanol have only won twice at I .a Coruna In 21 visits.

History also points to victory for second-placed Barce Ion.. \yhc ke bn Cell.) ,u home. Celia, . 1th in the table, last won in Barcelona 50 years ago.

But titleholders Barcelona must do without star Bulga rlan striker Hristo Stoichkov, the league s top goalscorer with 15.

He faces a one-match suspension after being sent off in his last game against Rayo Vallecano.

Real Madrid, third in the table and three points adrift of Deportivo, play host to Osasuna.

Real are the only league team not to have dropped a single point at home this season. But coach Benito Floro will have to reorganise his mid-field with Michel Gonzales suspended for a match, Croatian Robert Proslneckl doubtful with torn leg muscles and Chilean striker Ivan Zamorano also Injured.