Champions Inter top Serie A with 18 points from eight matches, 11 points ahead of 12th-placed Milan, who were handed an eight-point penalty at the start of the season for their involvement in the match-fixing scandal.

"Obviously there's pressure on us but it will be greater for Milan because if they slip up they will find themselves even further behind in the standings," Crespo was quoted as saying on La Gazzetta dello Sport's website.

As one of the few players to have played in the colours of both sides, Crespo is well aware about the expectations both sides have from one of Italy's most hotly-contested matches.

The Argentine international was part of the Milan side that finished runner-up to Liverpool in the Champions League in 2005.

He joined Inter at the start of this season, having previously had a brief stint at the club during the 2002-03 season.

"Playing in the derby is an amazing feeling, whichever shirt you're wearing, though there are differences between Inter and Milan," he said.

"At Milan, the successes of the past 20 years allow you to go through even the most difficult situations with calm.

"At Inter there's a greater hunger for victory and more pressure. This year we absolutely want to win the title."

Inter are unbeaten in Serie A this season, winning five and drawing three of their matches, including a 4-1 rout of Livorno in midweek.

Milan, meanwhile, have struggled recently, with draws against Livorno, Siena and Sampdoria followed by a defeat against Palermo before they got their challenge back on track with a 1-0 victory over Chievo Verona.

Crespo warned his team mates that Milan would be determined to raise their game against their arch-rivals.

"Milan are the most dangerous adversaries, even if they are 11 points behind," he said.

The build-up to the derby has been overshadowed by the continuing fallout from the match-fixing scandal.

The Italian Olympic Committee's Court of Arbitration will meet on Friday to discuss reducing the points penalties handed down to Milan, Fiorentina, Lazio and Juventus.

Italian media have speculated a ruling could be announced as early as Friday.

"I hope they make up their minds on these points penalties as soon as possible, even if it means overturning them altogether," Crespo said.

"At least then the standings will start to have some meaning".