Defending champion Sebastien Ogier leads the Rally of Italy by one minute and 40 seconds over Norwegian Mads Ostberg going into the final day.
Frenchman Ogier, the reigning world champion, won three of the day's four stages to propel himself to the top of the timesheet ahead of Sunday's four concluding specials.
Overnight leader Jari-Matti Latvala, Ogier's Volkswagen Polo teammate, dropped to third overall after the Finn suffered a puncture on Saturday's final stage.
Ogier leads the drivers' standings with 112 points through five races, having already secured victories in Monaco, Mexico and Portugal this term.
Meanwhile, the New Zealand driver Hayden Paddon's car broke down on the day's final stage, leaving him stranded in 11th place and in a race against time to fix the problem before tomorrow's final day.
