Serie A PREVIEW | Roma v Milan

With both teams level on points in the league standings, Roma and Milan will hope to get on top of each other when they face today at the Stadio Olimpico.

Roma will aim to get back to winning ways following a 3-1 defeat against Atalanta away at Bergamo. Mario Pasalic, Rafael Toloi and Teun Koopmeiners were on the scoresheet for La Dea and Roma could only pull one back through captain Lorenzo Pellegrini. The result dented the Giallorossi’s top four hopes and today’s outcome will be decisive in determining their course of finish.

The capital club doesn’t hold a good record against today’s opponents as they have lost four times in their last six meetings with Milan. 

Meanwhile, visitors Milan will hope to shrug off their inconsistent form and get a win to cement their top-four hopes by defeating their near-table rivals. Rafael Leao came out as the hero for the Rossoneri in their last match as his brace helped them defeat Lecce. The Milanese side are on a six-game unbeaten run across all competitions and that includes Stefano Pioli’s men securing a place in the Champions League semi-finals against neighbourhood rivals Inter. 

Milan are now targeting to inflict a third straight defeat to the Giallorossi, a feat which they haven’t achieved since 1990. 

Results from their last five matches across all competitions

Roma:

L W W L W

Milan:

W D D W D

Team News

Despite sustaining an ankle bruise against Atalanta, star striker Paulo Dybala is tilted to play a part in today’s match. 

Rick Karsdorp and Giorginio Wijnaldum are out for this match with injuries and Jose Mourinho will have a job on his hands to choose his defence as both Chris Smalling and Diego Llorente have suffered injuries. 

Stephan El Shaarawy is expected to start the game to support Tammy Abraham upfront and Marash Kumbulla is predicted to make a rare start.

As for Milan, Stefano Pioli should have his whole squad available for this match apart from Zlatan Ibrahimovic who continues his recovery. Davide Calabria returns from suspension. 

Rafael Leao is expected to start from the left flank after scoring a brace and Olivier Giroud should replace Ante Rebic up front.

Predicted XIs

Roma (3-4-2-1): Patricio; Mancini, Kumbulla, Ibanez; Zalewski, Cristante, Matic, Spinazzola; Pellegrini, El Shaarawy; Belotti

Milan (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Calabria, Kjaer, Tomori, Hernandez; Tonali, Krunic; Diaz, Bennacer, Leao; Giroud

 

Trambak Bhattacherjee | GIFN

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