Roma and Milan Meet in Huge Serie A Clash
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Roma welcome AC Milan to the Stadio Olimpico on Monday night, as both teams aim to keep the pressure on Juventus at the top of the Serie table.
The teams are level on points in the table, with Roma sitting in second and AC Milan in third, thanks to a less superior goal difference. With Juventus playing in the Turin derby against Torino, there is a chance the leaders could drop points so a win here, could be a huge boost in terms of challenging for the title.
Trends show Roma come into this match unbeaten in their last four matches in all competitions. Their mid-week outing in the Europa League saw a much-changed team pick up a point at Astra, making it three wins and one draw from the last four games. In Serie A, Roma have lost one of their previous nine matches, winning seven and drawing one. Their home form has been excellent and they have won all seven of their Serie A matches at the Stadio Olimpico this season. Perhaps the most impressive aspect has been the number of goals they have scored under Luciano Spalletti, having netted 23 times in seven home games, at an average of 3.28 goals per game.
AC Milan head to the capital also in a good run of form and Vincenzo Montella’s team are unbeaten in their last five Serie A matches, winning four and drawing one. Away from home, AC Milan have won four, drawn one and lost two. The most recent away wins have come at Empoli and Palermo, wins which saw AC Milan score 6 goals in total.
The good news for Roma, is that Kevin Strootman’s suspension has been over-turned, so the Dutch midfielder can play in this match and will also be available for the game at Juventus next week. This is a huge boost for Roma prior to this game but AC Milan also have players in good form, with striker Gianluca Lapadula and attacker Suso playing well. Lapadula has been leading the line so well, that Carlos Bacca is unlikely to start, despite returning to fitness and there are rumours the Colombian may be surplus to requirements come the transfer window.
Looking at the potential Roma starting XI and striker, Edin Dzeko, is the man to watch. The Bosnian has been in tremendous form this season and if Roma are to threaten in the attacking third, Dzeko is sure to be at the heart of it.
AC Milan do not enjoy playing at the Stadio Olimpico and have won only one of their last twelve matches at Roma. However, half of those games have finished level, so it’s not as if they have been struggling when asked to play in Rome.
The teams have scored 62 goals between them in Serie A this season and this could easily develop into one of the most entertaining matches of the campaign. There is not much to choose between them but with Roma playing at home, they might just nick it, with both teams finding the back of the net.
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