AC Milan will face off against AS Roma at the San Siro Stadium in Serie A on Sunday evening.
The Rossoneri started the season promisingly and were showing signs that they could mount a title charge this term. But, they have fallen behind in the title race at the moment as they are third in the table with 39 points from 19 games, sitting nine points behind the table toppers Inter Milan.
Stefano Pioli’s side are currently unbeaten in their last four league fixtures, winning three of those games. However, they will be coming into this encounter following a disappointing defeat to Atalanta in the Coppa Italia. So, they will be desperate to return to winning ways by beating Roma on Sunday evening.
On the other hand, following a dire start to this season, Roma have managed to climb up in the table a bit. But, they are currently eighth in the table with 29 points from 19 games, sitting four points behind the fourth-placed Fiorentina. So, Roma are firmly in the conversation to qualify for the Champions League football next season by securing their place in the top four spot this term.
Previous meetings
Milan have had a successful time in recent years against the Giallorossi as the Rosonerri have been unbeaten versus their Sunday’s opponent in the last eight encounters, winning five of those games. So, Roma will be desperate to improve their record versus Milan this weekend.
How to watch
The game will kick off at 7:45 pm UK time and the match will be televised live on TNT Sports 2 in the UK. For those who want to attend the match in person, you can buy AC Milan vs AS Roma tickets through the official club pages and reputable resellers.
Team news
Milan have had several injury problems at the moment as Pierre Kalulu, Mattia Caldara, Tommaso Pobega, Marco Sportiello, Malick Thiaw, Fikayo Tomori and Noah Okafor are all set to remain sidelined for this fixture.
Rade Krunic is on the verge of joining Fenerbahce so he isn’t expected to be available in this encounter, while Ismael Bennacer and Samuel Chukwueze have been called up to play in the AFCON for their respective nations. Therefore, the duo won’t be available for selection against Roma.
As for Roma, they have also been struggling with fitness issues at the moment as Tammy Abraham, Chris Smalling and Renato Sanches are all set to remain sidelined for Sunday’s encounter owing to their respective issues.
Paulo Dybala sustained a muscular issue in the previous game against Lazio so he is expected to remain sidelined against Milan, while Gianluca Mancini has been struggling with injury problems in recent times so he is in doubt ahead of this game.
In addition, Evan Ndicka, Houssem Aouar, and Sardar Azmoun aren’t in contention to feature versus Milan due to international commitments. Jose Mourinho is suspended for this game having picked up a red card last weekend so he won’t be on the sideline in this encounter.
Predicted line-up
Pioli is likely to go with the 4-3-3 formation in this fixture with Mike Maignan set to be between the sticks. Simon Kjær and Theo Hernandez should be the defensive pairing for the hosts, while Davide Calabria and Alex Jimenez might be the fullbacks amid their injury problems at their back.
Tijjani Reijnders should be deployed in the holding midfield position, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Yunus Musah might complete the midfield trio for the Rossoneri.
Rafael Leao is set to be on the left flank, while Christian Pulisic could be on the opposite side. Olivier Giroud is likely to lead the line for Milan. So, Luka Jovic will return to the bench after starting last time out.
Expected Milan line-up vs Roma
Maignan; Calabria, Kjær, Hernandez, Jimenez; Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Reijnders, Musah; Pulisic, Giroud, Leao
As for Roma, Jose Mourinho has been using the 3-4-2-1 formation and it’s expected to be the same this weekend. Rui Patricio is set to be in goal for the visitors and in front of the Portuguese, Rasmus Kristensen, Diego Llorente and Dean Huijsen could be the back three.
Rick Karsdorp and Nicola Zalewski could be the fullbacks. Edoardo Bove and Bryan Cristante might be in the engine room, while Stephan El Shaarawy and Lorenzo Pellegrini are set to be in the attacking midfield position. Romelu Lukaku is likely to be in the number nine role.
Expected Roma line-up vs Milan
Patricio; Kristensen, Llorente, Huijsen; Karsdorp, Bove, Cristante, Zalewski; Dybala, Pellegrini; Lukaku
Key players
Leao is Milan’s talismanic figure and if he can play at his best in this encounter then Pioli’s side would manage to come away with all three points from this fixture. So, Roma will have to find a way to keep the Portuguese quiet.
After moving to San Siro Stadium last summer, Pulisic has enjoyed a promising first half of this campaign, scoring six goals and registering five assists in the league. So, he possesses the quality to hurt the opposition defence and the onus will be on the Giallorossi backline to stop the American on Sunday evening.
Giroud has been in fine form this season, scoring nine goals and registering five assists in Serie A. So, the Rossoneri fans will be hoping that the Frenchman will be able to help his side beat the Giallorossi by putting his name on the score-sheet.
For Roma, Lukaku is the main goal-scorer for the visitors so the Belgian will be desperate to perform at his best in this fixture to guide his team to victory on Sunday evening.
Pelligrini is expected to be the main creative player for Roma amid Dybala’s absence so the responsibility will be on him to create opportunities for Lukaku and finish those off if he gets any.
Prediction
Milan are likely to play their natural possession-based football, however, they tend to look out of sorts against teams – who like to sit deep and are organised in defence.
Roma are expected to deploy a similar system on Sunday and it remains to be seen whether the hosts can find a way to break down Mourinho’s team’s defence.
Milan have excellent attacking options – who have the qualities to help his side win the game single-handedly. However, Roma don’t have such attacking firepower at their disposal. In addition, given the game is at San Siro, Milan will get the benefit of home support. So, the Rossoneri are the favourite to win this game.
This might not be an open game and whichever team can be more clinical in front of the goal will get the maximum points. Nevertheless, Milan’s qualities in their forward department could eventually turn out to be too much for the visitors to handle. Milan 2-1 Roma
