Verdict: Milan to Win & Both Teams to Score
Best Odds: 9/2
Bookmaker: bet365
With only one point between them and with a place among the top four teams up for grabs, Roma and Milan head into this weekend’s highlight game of the Serie A with a lot at stake.
Roma
Roma are coming off from a difficult week. The 3-3 draw at Atalanta in the Serie A – where Roma threw away a three-goal lead – has been followed by a humiliating 7-1 defeat at Fiorentina in the quarter-finals of the Coppa Italia and Giallorossi head into the weekend’s big game against Milan low on confidence and with plenty to lose.
Roma have struggled for much of the campaign which came as the result of selling the backbone of the squad during summer. The Giallorossi invested in young players who haven’t exactly been able to carry the team forward as expected. Roma are a growing project and oscillations are a normal thing but the most recent setback at Fiorentina proved just how far Roma are from getting to where they want to be. With his team sitting fifth in the standings only one point behind equally inconsistent Milan, Eusebio Di Francesco is given the last chance to make things right. Roma’s season is not lost yet as club eyes a top-four finish but the eventual defeat at the hands of Rossoneri would definitely be the last drop that could get Di Francesco sacked.
Team News
Bryan Cristante and Steven Nzonzi are suspended which leaves Roma seriously deprived of options in the midfield.
Cengiz Under, Diego Perotti and Juan Jesus are all injured whereas Daniele De Rossi made his comeback during the week after a month on the sidelines.
Milan
Rossoneri head into the big match at Roma in a completely contrasting mood. Gennaro Gattuso’s men recorded a 2-0 victory in the Coppa Italia against Napoli with January signing Piatek scoring a brace in his full debut for Milan.
Things could not have gone better for the Polish forward who once again demonstrated he’s in fantastic shape this season. Milan are currently occupying the last Champions League spot and will be eager to make a positive result that will keep them ahead of Roma but also the likes of Sampdoria, Atalanta and Lazio who are breathing down their neck. Gattuso’s guys are unbeaten in their last five matches in the league during which time they conceded only one goal and the confidence is high ahead of the Sunday’s showdown in Rome. With an opportunity to open a four-point lead ahead of Roma it’s fair to say Milan will do their best to win the forthcoming clash. Should Piatek maintain his high-scoring form, such a result is not impossible to achieve. After all, Milan won their last two matches against Roma and getting the third on the trot would be a great achievement as well.
Team News
Giacomo Bonaventura, Lucas Biglia and Mattia Caldara are all long-term absentees and will not be in contention once again.
Frank Kessie returns from suspension and is expected to be included in the starting XI, together with Krzysztof Piatek who’s done more than enough to push Patrick Cutrone to the bench.
Key Factors to Consider
- There’s been only 1 draw in last 8 matches between Roma and Milan
- Rossoneri are looking to win the third successive game against Giallorossi
- Milan lost only 1 of their last 5 matches on the road
- Roma won their last 4 home matches in all competitions
- Milan kept a clean sheet in all of their last three matches
Conclusion
Two of Italy’s biggest clubs go head to head in the highlight match of the Serie A weekend on Sunday. Roma and Milan find themselves in contrasting forms but will have the same agenda heading into the match at Olimpico. It promises to be an exciting game with goals on both ends.
Verdict: Milan to Win & Both Teams to Score
Best Odds: 9/2
Bookmaker: bet365
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