AC Milan will take their quest for a top-four finish to Rome this Saturday as they face Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma, who are also looking to secure a place in the Champions League next season.
The hosts suffered a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Atalanta in their last outing to throw the top four race in the Serie A wide open.
They come into this tie sitting on the same points as AC Milan but with a worse goal difference. So this match could make or break their season, as a loss takes their chances of qualifying for the top four out of their hands.
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Mourinho’s men now have a growing list of absentees and will be sweating on the fitness of key man Paulo Dybala who left the pitch with a painful grimace after a challenge in Monday night’s defeat.
While they battle to find the right balance in the team after the injury to key men, a return to the Stadio Olimpico could be just what the home side need, having won seven of their eight league games here in 2023′ to nil’ (L1).
AC Milan will look to make it seven games without defeat when they travel to Rome on Saturday.
The Rosenneri were one of the teams that were most affected by the reversal of Juventus’ 15-point penalty. But they have reacted well to the ruling and have continued to pick up points.
The most recent was a 2-0 win over relegation-threatened Lecce, which was decided by two magical moments from Rafael Leão. That win had helped them creep back into the top four last weekend.
Still, Stefano Pioli’s men have won just two of their last seven league games (D3, L2). They travel south again after two successful trips to Napoli this month (W1, D1) and a disappointing 1-1 draw at Bologna.
But worryingly for them, the spectacular 4-0 win over league leaders was Milan’s only away league victory against a team that started this round 11th or better (D2, L5).
Meanwhile, eight of the last nine H2Hs have seen both teams find the net. So despite Roma’s stubborn defence at home, we can expect BTTS/GG here.
