Roma
AC Milan
28 February 2021
20:45 CET
Serie A
Stadio Olimpico
There will be fireworks when Roma and Milan square off against each other at Stadio Olimpico in the Serie A round 24.
The Romans failed to turn their dominance into goals in a goalless draw with ten-man Benevento, but they remained in the Champions League berth in the Serie A standings.
All Smalling, Ibanez, and Zaniolo are out of contention through injuries, while Kumbulla and Cristante are rated doubtful for the game.
The Rossoneri, on the other hand, suffered a dip in form, and seeing that they are low on confidence following a 3-0 loss to Inter, we believe that there is a big value in betting on the capital club.
Both Mandzukic and Bennacer are likely to miss the Serie A derby through injuries, but there are no suspended players in the away team. In their last meeting at Stadio Olimpico Roma defeated Milan 2-1.
Roma vs AC Milan Head-to-head
Teams Roma AC Milan played so far 49 matches.
Roma won 16 direct matches. AC Milan won 16 matches. 17 matches ended in a draw. On average in direct matches both teams scored a 2.65 goals per Match.
Roma vs AC Milan Prediction
Roma in actual season average scored 2.14 goals per match. In 16 (84.21%) matches played at home was total goals (team and opponent) Over 1.5 goals. In 15 (78.95%) matches in season 2021 played at home was total goals (team and opponent) Over 2.5 goals.
AC Milan average scored 2.13 goals per match in season 2021. In 16 (94.12%) matches played away was total goals (team and opponent) Over 1.5 goals. In 10 (58.82%) matches played away team was total goals (team and opponent) Over 2.5 goals.
Team News:
Recently reintegrated to the squad after a falling-out with coach Paulo Fonseca, former Roma captain Edin Dzeko suffered a groin strain against Braga in midweek and is likely to miss Sunday's Serie A clash. The Bosnian striker netted the opener in the first half but was forced off later on. In his absence, recent regular Borja Mayoral would be charged with leading the line up front.
In addition to the long-term injured Nicolo Zaniolo and Davide Santon, Fonseca will still be without defenders Roger Ibanez and Chris Smalling, part of the reason why he switched to a rare back four selection on Thursday. There remains the possibility of a return for Marash Kumbulla though, so the former Verona man may be fit for a spot on the bench. Previously out of favour, Federico Fazio will vie with Leonardo Spinazzola for a place on the left-hand side of Roma's three.
Both Amadou Diawara and Stephan El Shaarawy are set to drop out of the team, to be replaced by key men Lorenzo Pellegrini and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who were offered a rest against Braga.
Milan's Ismael Bennacer and Mario Mandzukic (both with thigh problems) are expected to miss the trip to Rome, but Stefano Pioli's selection headaches of recent times - caused by a spate of injuries and illnesses - have otherwise cleared.
Soualiho Meite and Diogo Dalot will make way for Sandro Tonali and Theo Hernandez respectively, with top scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic - out of sorts lately - coming back in to helm the attack, at the expense of Rafael Leao.
Winger Alexis Saelemaekers is also a strong candidate to return to the XI, with Samu Castillejo's spot in jeopardy.
Roma possible starting lineup:
Lopez; Mancini, Cristante, Spinazzola; Karsdorp, Veretout, Villar, Peres; Pellegrini, Mkhitaryan; Mayoral
AC Milan possible starting lineup:
Donnarumma; Calabria, Kjaer, Romagnoli, Hernandez; Kessie, Tonali; Saelemaekers, Calhanoglu, Rebic; Ibrahimovic