The chase for Carlos Tevez, with both clubs trying to capture the outcast Manchester City forward, will add extra spice to the clash at San Siro where AC Milan coach Allegri defends a 100 percent record against his neighbours.
Inter, eight points behind Serie A joint leaders Milan and Juventus, have leapt up the table to fifth after winning five matches in a row since the start of December and conceding only one goal in the process.
"We don't need this match to know how much he is worth as a coach," said Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso.
"He's a coach with great experience and understands everything.
"He's a cunning old fox and we need to be very attentive to him and Inter."
However, Milan's form has been even more impressive with 10 wins and two draws since their only Serie A defeat of the season to Juventus on October 2.
But their pursuit appears to have hit a brick wall as City have ruled out a loan deal which is favoured by Milan, while Inter president Massimo Moratti confirmed his club's interest in the Argentine on Monday.
Italian media are suggesting he could be left out of Sunday's match with fellow Brazilian Robinho - who has captured the attention with some glaring misses this season - partnering Zlatan Ibrahimovic in attack.
His debut produced a 1-0 win which hastened the end of Rafael Benitez's unhappy six months in charge of Inter.
Donadoni has replaced Franco Colomba, who became the eleventh Serie A coaching victim of the season following last weekend's 5-0 defeat at Ranieri's resurgent Inter.
