Prediction: AC Milan vs AS Roma

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 4/7

Bookmaker: bet365

AC Milan and AS Roma both have big ambitions this season, but they have so far struggled to keep up with joint leaders Napoli and Juventus. The two sides recorded hard-fought wins in midweek, but the Giallorossi should be in better shape having played a day earlier.

AC Milan

In spite of the heavy summer spending, AC Milan were always going to have a tough task in an attempt to mount a serious title challenge, and things haven’t exactly gone according to plan so far. The Rossoneri occupy sixth position in the Serie A standings after losing two of first six league matches, with weekend’s defeat to Sampdoria acting as a major confidence blow. The Rossoneri did return to winning ways in midweek as they defeated HNK Rijeka 3-2, but it is important to note that Patrick Cutrone scored the winner deep into injury time after AC Milan had squandered a two-goal lead. With so many new players joining in the summer, it is hardly surprising that head coach Vincenzo Montella will need some more time to get this team playing to their potential, but with the competition for top 3 positions in Serie A quite fierce this season, it is clear he has no time to lose. The Rossoneri were largely disappointing in the first high-profile match of the season, suffering a 4-1 loss to Lazio, and it remains to be seen whether they can show any improvement against the other team from the capital.

Team News

Andrea Conti, Riccardo Montolivo and Luca Antonelli remain on the sidelines, while Davide Calabria is rated doubtful.

AS Roma

AS Roma have been on an uptrend for several years now and it seems that Eusebio Di Francesco simply picked up where Luciano Spalletti had left off. Having done so well last term, it is hardly surprising that the club management didn’t want to upset the balance of the squad with too many new signings, although they did add the likes of Lorenzo Pellegrini, Cenk Under, Grigoire Defrel, Aleksandar Kolarov and Patrik Schick to their ranks. The Giallorossi in turn enjoyed a pretty good start to the season, with 3-1 home loss to Inter Milan their only setback so far. AS Roma head into the high-profile game against AC Milan in very good spirits on the back of consecutive wins over Hellas Verona, Benevento, Udinese and Qarabag, but they will be under pressure to win at San Siro and keep up with red-hot Napoli and Juventus. The Giallorossi contested a hard-fought affair in midweek against Qarabag, but head coach Eusebio Di Francesco used the opportunity to rest some of his starters, meaning his key men should be in good shape for the trip to San Siro.

Team News

Daniele De Rossi, Kevin Strootman and Federico Fazio should be recalled, but Emerson and Patrik Schick are out injured.

At the same time, Grigoire Defrel, Diego Perotti, Hector Moreno and Rick Karsdorp are all rated doubtful for selection.

Key Factors to Consider

• AS Roma won last three meetings with AC Milan
• Both teams scored in their last four meetings at San Siro
• The Rossoneri won last five matches at home, scoring 15 goals
• AS Roma are on a four-match winning run
• The Giallorossi won last 9 Serie A games on the road

Conclusion

While AC Milan have been in fine form at home, AS Roma won nine consecutive Serie A fixtures on the road, which is enough to suggest we will see another enthralling encounter at San Siro. The match seems too close to call, and that is why our advice is to back both teams to score.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 4/7

Bookmaker: bet365