Defending champions Internazionale and European champions AC Milan are the two major threats from the north, while Roma will offer them the biggest threat from further south.

The capital team finished second last season and have a tough opening when they travel to Palermo on Sunday.

But they will be in confident mood after a major psychological win over Inter last Sunday when they captured the Supercoppa title 1-0 - the traditional Serie A curtain-raiser - at the San Siro last Sunday.

Speaking after that win, the Giallorossi coach Luciano Spalletti said that his team were the team to beat.

"The wind has changed," he said. "Now Roma can go to the San Siro and be the number one team to beat this season."

But there is also a new threat this season from the north, where Juventus are back and they will try to spoil the part with a win in their home game against Livorno.

The Old Lady return to the big time after being relegated to Serie B last season for their involvement in the match-fixing saga.

They were also docked nine points- originally a 17-point penalty - but still stormed back to win by a comfortable six points as the entire build up to the 2006/07 campaign was marred by the ugly ordeal.

Now, under the leadership of Claudio Ranieri, the team from Turin are back were they belong and aim to make a big impression.

"It's not just us, there are at least another three or four teams that could get in the top four," said veteran midfielder Pavel Nedved. "It'll be a great competition and we'll have to give our best from the start and for the whole year, then we'll turn around and see how many points we were able to get.

"We better not think about any specific objectives, the Scudetto or any particular placing. We just need to think about taking all three points each Sunday."

But Juve and Roma will face a tough task in trying to topple both Milan teams.

Both have again invested heavily over the summer with Roberto Mancini bringing in Cristian Chivu and David Suazo as the Blue half's major signings, while the red half of Milan has seen the arrival of Alexandre Pato - a highly rated Brazilian - and Emerson.

Inter host Udinese in their opening game at the San Siro and Carlo Ancelotti's Milan face a trip to Serie A new-boys Genoa.

The Rossoneri will be without their fans though for the game. Authorities have barred them because of fears of violence.

Legendary Milan defender and captain Paolo Maldini also believes the title race will be a three-horse race.

"My favourites are Inter, Roma and Milan," he said. "The Italian Super Cup (Supercoppa) did not change anything. Roma in a direct match can beat anyone, nothing extraordinary happened."

Elsewhere in the opening week, the third promoted team from last season, Napoli make a welcome return to the top-flight when they host Cagliari.

Parma, who Ranieri saved from relegation last season, are at home to Catania, while Fiorentina will have to cope with the loss of Luca Toni when they host Empoli.

Reggina host Atalanta at the Stadio Oreste Granillo and Sampdoria travel to Siena.

Finally, last season's third-placed team Lazio entertain Torino.