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Big derby clash in Serie A, as Roma looks to stay on track with Juventus when they host a struggling AC Milan side at Olimpico. Both sides coming into this one with serious defensive issues.
Roma is 4 points behind Juve after the Old Lady easily beat Cagliari yesterday, so Rudi Garcia’s side absolutely has to win this at home. They can’t afford to slip up and go 3-4 points behind Juve, they have the experience of last season when they did that and never recovered. Roma is playing well right now, they are on the back of a 1-0 win at Genoa and that was actually the first game from the last 6 in which Roma kept a clean sheet. The Giallorossi have struggled defensively latey (usually a strong point for them) and with a couple of important defenders missing, that may be the case again today.
AC Milan defeated Napoli 2-0 last round, their biggest win of the season. Inzaghi’s side is starting to play a little better, but unfortunately for them that is only valid for home games – on the road, Milan won just once in the last 6 matches. The defense continues to be a problem for the Rossoneri: even though they did keep a clean sheet in the last 2 home matches, away from home they conceded at least once in every single game this season.
Bet on AS Roma vs AC Milan with the best under / over odds at PinnacleSports.com.
Team news & lineups:
Rudi Garcia was initially suspended for this match, but his ban has been revoked and he will sit on the bench. Roma will be without Castan, Balzaretti, Astori, Skorupski and Pjanic. Milan will have to do without De Siglio, Alex, Abate, Rami and van Ginkel. Both sides will have to field somewhat improvised defenses – Roma misses 4 defensive players, Milan also 4.
AS Roma: De Sanctis – Maicon, Manolas, Yanga-Mbiwa, Holebas – Nainggolan, Keita, De Rossi – Totti, Gervinho, Ljajic
AC Milan: Lopez – Bonera, Mexes, Zapata, Armero – De Jong, Montolivo, Poli – Menez, Torres, Honda
Milan is an overish team and I can easily see them scoring once against a Roma side that did not defend too well lately – on the other hand Milan’s defense could be ripped to shreds by Roma’s speed and craftyness in that 4-3-3 formation. Roma and Milan are both decimated in defense and I expect team news to have a big impact on this match, accentuating the chances for goals, which were already high. My tip here is over 2,5 goals. Roma should win in my opinion, but I think the under over market is the safer and better option. I reckon the odds are not consistent with the current situation, the price on over 2,5 is too high and I will gladly invest high stakes in these circumstances. Prediction: AS Roma – AC Milan 3-1.
Pick: over 2,5 goals
Odds: 1.92 @ Pinnacle
Stake: 9
Possible profit: 8.28
Event date: 20 December
