The iconic Giuseppe Meazza Stadium in Milan will host a pivotal Serie A tussle between AC Milan and AS Roma on the first Sunday after Christmas. Scheduled for a Sunday night kickoff, this match marks the 18th round of the Italian top-flight season. Both teams have endured inconsistent form, leaving them stuck in mid-table.
Milan sit in 8th place with 26 points, while Roma retain the 10th spot with just 19 points. Who will come out on top in this crucial encounter? Join us as we preview the game and share valuable betting insights.
AC Milan – AS Roma Head-to-Head Analysis
| General Details | Milan Lineup (Predicted) | Roma Lineup (Predicted) |
|---|---|---|
| Date: 29/12/2024 Time: 20:45 Stadium: San Siro Where to watch: Supersport 204, StarTimes App, DStv Now, GOtv | Mike Maignan Emerson Royal Matteo Gabbia Malick Thiaw Álex Jiménez Youssouf Fofana Filippo Terracciano Tijjani Reijnders Samuel Chukwueze Rafael Leão Tammy Abraham | Mile Svilar Mehmet Zeki Çelik Gianluca Mancini Evan N’Dicka Angeliño Niccolò Pisilli Kouadio Koné Bryan Cristante Stephan El Shaarawy Lorenzo Pellegrini Artem Dovbyk |
Historic Performances
Their head-to-head record offers crucial insights. Let’s use this data to project Saturday’s likely outcome.
We start our analysis by considering what has played out between them in their past meetings. This history will set the tone for examining what the weekend’s result could look like.
Recent Encounters
The head-to-head record from the last five encounters between Milan and Roma across all competitions is a fiercely contested rivalry. Both sides have claimed two victories each, with one match ending in a draw. This shows the nature of an evenly contested affair of this fixture.
Their most recent clash saw Roma secure a commanding 3-1 home win, which will surely boost La Dea’s confidence ahead of this game. Meanwhile, Milan will be determined to turn the tables and exact revenge for that defeat.
Key Factors Influencing the Match
After checking what the records say about their previous meetings, let’s look at how they are both faring in their recent games this season and key players. This will provide us with patterns to make our predictions.
Previous Match
Milan is looking to regain momentum after a mixed run of results. Following two wins over Napoli and a Europa League triumph against Ajax, they suffered a crushing 6-0 defeat to the reigning champions at the Stadio Olimpico.
Despite this setback, they bounced back with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Lecce last weekend. However, defensive fragility has emerged as a concern, with the Biancocelesti conceding ten goals in their last four league matches, equal to their total from the previous ten.
Despite this, Milan remains in Serie A’s top four, on course for a Europa League last-16 spot. They have already secured a place in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals as well.
Meanwhile, Roma sits atop the Serie A table with a two-point lead over Napoli, boasting 12 wins in their last 13 matches. Notably, they’ve won their previous eleven Serie A matches. Their recent 3-2 victory against Empoli showcased their attacking prowess and resilience, reinforcing their title credentials.
Players
Valentín Castellanos is Milan’s key player to watch in this clash. The Argentine striker has contributed eight goals and five assists in 20 appearances this season. He combined clinical finishing with relentless off-the-ball work. His impact is undeniable, as Milan’s win rate rises from 20% without him to 55% with him.
Meanwhile, Samuel Gigot and Mario Gila are fit again, but Matias Vecino remains sidelined until next month. Boulaye Dia and Alessio Romagnoli could also feature to further strengthen Milan’s lineup.
Ademola Lookman stands out as a game-changer for Roma, tallying an impressive 15 goal involvements in 16 matches. The latest African footballer of the year will aim to exploit Milan’s vulnerable defense.
However, Roma will miss captain Marten De Roon due to suspension. Ederson may pair with Mario Pasalic or Marco Brescianini in midfield. Giorgio Scalvini and Gianluca Scamacca remain injured, though Matteo Ruggeri is expected to return. Roma’s attack, led by Lookman and Mateo Retegui, remains a potent threat.
Home Advantage
The Biancocelesti have established themselves as a force at the Stadio Olimpico, securing an impressive record of six wins, one draw, and just one loss on home turf. This stronghold could play a pivotal role in their upcoming clash. However, an in-form Roma side will challenge their resolve.
Roma have proven their mettle on the road this season, boasting an equally remarkable away record of six wins, one draw, and two defeats.
Betting Tips
After pinpointing the strengths and weaknesses of both teams, here are our betting tips for Nigerian Bettors for the upcoming Milan vs. Roma match:
Betting Odds
According to recent updates from several bookies, these are their projected chances for a win, draw, or loss:
Milan to Win – 2.80 | Draw – 3.30 | Roma to Win – 2.45
Their odds on bookies show a slight disparity between the two sides but slightly favor the league leaders, Roma, to triumph. A draw possibility stands at 30%. However, Roma’s brilliant 11 straight Serie A victories give them significant momentum to collect another three points on Saturday.
Final Thoughts on the Match
Both teams are in great form, but Roma’s excellent winning streak and solid away performances give them a slight edge in this matchup. Their recent head-to-head triumph over Milan further strengthens their case as favorites. Remember to gamble responsibly, and visit our site often for more expert insights and betting tips.
Samuel Okunsolawo is an iGaming expert with over six years of experience in content writing. His passion for simplifying complex concepts makes his articles accessible and useful for beginners and experts alike. With a focus on sports betting trends and reliable betting sites, Samuel’s articles are an excellent resource for those seeking guidance and staying up to date in the world of iGaming.