Roma vs AC Milan

AS Roma return home needing to continue to win if they are to keep pace with league leaders Inter Milan and retain at least a glimmer of hope of catching them in the table. AC Milan are coming off of a victory of their own and this contest has all the makings of an electric derby.

Roma scored a huge victory away from home in week 27 when they defeated Napoli by a score of 0-2 at the Stadio San Paolo. With the 3 points the side managed by Nedo Spaletti are now in 2^nd place with 58 points on the year. This leaves them 6 points back of 1^st place Inter Milan and 7 ahead of 3^rd place Juventus. The giallorossi have now extended their unbeaten run to 4 matches. During that stretch they have won 3 of the 4 with 1 draw with 8 goals scored and 1 conceded. This week Roma are expected to have everyone available with Totti, Mexes and Juan confirmed starters.

Much like Roma, AC Milan scored a huge win on the road as they defeated Empoli by a score of 1-3. Milan are in the running for a UEFA Champions League spot and now sit in 5^th place of the Serie A table with 46 points. They are 1 point back of 4^th place Fiorentina and 6 points ahead of 6^th place Udinese. Thanks to their strong victory, the side managed by Carlo Ancelotti have now extended their unbeaten run to 10 consecutive matches. This week the injured list consists of Dida, Ronaldo, Cafu, Serginho and Inzaghi. The good news is that Kaka’ is back in the starting eleven and will start alongside Seedorf just behind Pato.

With both sides coming into this contest playing so well it promises to be a tough match. It will be interesting to see how much turnover Spaletti decides to employ given that Roma are still in the Champions League and will be playing again in 4 days time as this is a double week in Serie A. AC Milan are also playing in 4 days time but don’t that the Champions League baggage that could play a factor in Roma’s fitness. Also, Milan have played better on the road than they have at home and that should make them good for at least a point against Roma.

Prediction: Draw (1-1)

Empoli vs AC Milan

Empoli are against the ropes this week as they play host to AC Milan at the Stadio Carlo Castellani in round 27 of Serie A. It will be their second match at home in 7 days and they cannot afford to lose again. Meanwhile, Milan are coming off of a disappointing draw at home and will be looking to recover those dropped points against Empoli.

Empoli come into this contest in 17^th place of the Serie A table with 25 points for the season. This leaves them just 1 point ahead of 18^th place Catania who currently occupy a slot in the relegation zone of the table. Empoli are just behind 16^th place Parma on goal difference. Last week the side managed by Malesani dropped a terrible match at home by a score of 0-2 to Siena, a direct rival in their battle to avoid relegation. It was their second straight loss following an encouraging 3 match win streak and what is most disconcerting is that Empoli have not been able to score a goal over those last two matches. This week Mchedlidze and Pozzi are out injured while Moro and Marzoratti will sit out suspended. The positive news is that Raggi returns to the back line while Saudati will be able to start upfront in Malesani’s 4-2-3-1.

AC Milan also suffered a frustrating result at home in week 26 when they were held to a 1-1 draw at home by SS Lazio at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza. The point at home gives them 43 for the year and leaves them in 5^th place, 4 points back of 4^th place Fiorentina and 4 ahead of 6^th place Udinese. The rossoneri have now drawn 2 matches in a row and 4 of their last 5 to go along with 1 win. This week the side managed by Carlo Ancelotti will once again be missing a number of players to injury including Dida, Ronaldo, Clarence Seedorf, Cafu, Serginho, Nesta and Jankulovski. In addition, Gennaro Gattuso will be sitting out due to suspension. These absences would be enough to cripple most sides but Milan do have a lot of depth and that will be on display in the form of Ambrosini, Gilardino, Pato and the returning Kaka’ who has been out as well due to injury.

This is a huge match for Empoli as every remaining home match is a must win. The smallest slip up could see them drop into the relegation zone and Malesani will have his side prepared for a final type atmosphere. However, AC Milan have actually played better away from home this season with 7 wins and 3 draws from 13 matches. They should be good enough to hold out for at least a point.

Prediction: Draw (1-1)

AC Milan vs Lazio

AC Milan host Lazio in their week 26 match at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza at San Siro. An injury plagued Milan were held to a frustrating draw on the road in their midweek match, while Lazio were able to pick up a big win that helps them move farther away from the relegation zone of Serie A.

The rossoneri were held to a 1-1 draw by Catania in their last match. Milan were missing important players such as Kaka’, Nesta, Ronaldo and Dida and were certainly not at their best. The result leaves Carlo Ancelotti’s club in 5^th place of the league table with 42 points. They now sit 2 points back of Fiorentina while holding a 6 point edge over 6^th place Udinese. With neither Kaka’ nor Pippo Inzaghi slated to start this week Milan look to go with a 4-3-1-2 featuring Seedorf playing just behind Pato and Gilardino. The injured list remains the same as it was for the last match with Favalli also missing out due to suspension. The Australian keeper Kalac will once again start for Dida while Bonera will cover in the back line for Nesta. AC Milan have posted 2 wins and 3 draws in their last 5 matches.

Lazio picked up victory from a match they absolutely had to win in week 25 when they defeated Reggina by a score of 1-0 at home. Reggina have been battling relegation all year long and Lazio were in no position to drop points at home to them. With the win the side managed by Delio Rossi are now in 12^th place of Serie A with 29 points for the season. They are 1 point behind 11^th place Napoli and 2 points up on 13^th place Torino. They have posted 3 wins at home and 2 losses on the road over their last 5 matches and will be looking to change that pattern this week away to Milan. There are 2 confirmed absences at this time and they involve Zauri and Mutarelli. Like Milan, Lazio will use a 4-3-1-2 with Mauri playing behind the big 2 of Rocchi and Goran Pandev.

The edge has to go to AC Milan this week. While it is true that they have not played consistently at home this season with just 4 wins from 12 matches, Lazio have won just 1 match on the road and their form as a whole drops immensely when they are away from the Stadio Olimpico. They will need to play a mistake free match at the back.

Prediction: AC Milan (1-0)

Catania vs AC Milan

Catania face off against the red hot AC Milan looking to recover from their loss away to Empoli over the week that sends them farther down the Serie A league table. The rossoneri come into this contest after having secured a dramatic last minute victory over Palermo that lands them in the top 4 of the league.

The home side were beaten on the road in week 24 when they fell by a score of 2-0 to Empoli at the Stadio Carlo Castellani. The result leaves Catania in 15^th place of the Serie A league table with 25 points. They are now 2 points back of 14^th place Empoli, but only 3 ahead of Parma and the side fighting to stay out of the relegation zone. They are losers of 4 of their last 4 games and have been able to produce just 2 goals scored over that 5 game stretch. They are easily going through their worst part of the season and now face a daunting task when they host AC Milan. Manager Baldini will need to make due without the services of both Tedesco and Morimoto this week.

The rossoneri are at the other end of the spectrum in terms of current form. Their latest victory at home over Palermo by a score of 2-1 at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza featured late game heroics from Pippo Inzaghi to secure the 3 points. With the victory Carlo Ancelotti’s club are now in 4^th place of the league table with 41 points, 6 back of Juventus and just ahead of 5^th place Fiorentina on goal difference. With this match coming just 3 days after the contest against Palermo it’s getting a bit difficult for Ancelotti to come up with a starting eleven as there are a number of injury concerns. In addition to Nesta, Dida, and Ronaldo who missed the contest against Palermo- it has now been confirmed that both Seedorf and Kaka’ are expected to sit this one out. Bonera, Gourcuff and Gilardino are among those expected to come into the starting eleven.

This will be a very tough contest for Catania. They just haven’t shown any life of late and they will be taking on an AC Milan outfit that have been absolutely superb of late. It is true that Milan have a number of injury concerns this week but the likes of Pato, Ambrosini and Gilardino should have enough to carry the day for the rossoneri.

Prediction: AC Milan (1-2)

Parma vs AC Milan

Parma face a stern test at home in week 23 when they host AC Milan at the Stadio Ennio Tardini. Milan are coming off of a draw but are currently on a 6 match unbeaten run which stretches back to last year. Meanwhile AC Milan are in the middle of a 6 match unbeaten run and can move into the top 4 in the league table with a victory and some help from other results.

Parma were able to hold out for a draw in their last match away to last place Cagliari by a score of 1-1 at the Stadio Sant’Elia. The point gives the side managed by Di Carlo 20 points for the season from 22 matches and that is good enough for 17the place in the Serie A table. They are one point up on 18^th place Empoli and just behind 16^th place Siena. The club has hit some hard times over their last 5 matches as evidenced by their 2 draws and 3 losses which has seen them concede 9 goals. Parma will have some important absences this week as well. Coly and Lucarelli remain out due to injury while Bernardo Corradi and Parravicini are out suspended. Corradi is the clubs top scorer so look for Budan and Reginaldo to start in attack.

The Rossoneri played to a 1-1 draw in their last match at home to Livorno which was a midweek make up contest. It was a very costly match for Milan as not only did they drop two points at home but they also lost Brazilian striker Ronaldo for the rest of the season. He was injured only 3 minutes after having come on as a substitute. The result also saw Milan’s 4 match win streak draw to a close. Carlo Ancelotti’s squad are now in 5^th place of Serie A with 37 points and sit 1 point behind Fiorentina while maintaining a 4 point edge on 6^th place Udinese. In addition to Ronaldo being out both Alexandre Pato and Clarence Seedorf will miss out due to injury. On the bright side, Kaka’ and Alessandro Nesta will both return to the starting eleven.

The loss of Ronaldo was a huge blow to Milan, not only because of the caliber of player that he is, but because of how popular he is among his mates. It will be interesting to see how they fare in this first match without him. Parma have not exactly been world beaters at home this year with just 4 wins, 4 draws and 3 losses from 11 matches. AC Milan should have enough in the tank to secure a draw despite having had less rest this week.

Prediction: Draw (1-1)

AC Milan vs Siena

AC Milan are playing their best football of the season as they prepare to host Siena in their week 22 match at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza at San Siro. Siena have been not been too shabby either as they pulled off the surprise result of the round when they beat AS Roma at home last week.

The side managed by Carlo Ancelotti have been on fire of late. They scored a 0-1 win away to Fiorentina last week at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. Fiorentina had gone into the match having won their last 4 straight and were in the middle of a very impressive run. That was until the rossoneri pulled off another important win thanks to a goal by new signing Alexandre Pato. With the 3 points Milan are now 5^th in Serie A with 33 points. They have won their last 3 matches without conceding a goal. There will be important absences this week as the aforementioned Pato is out injured as are Gennaro Gattuso and world footballer of the year, Kaka’. In addition, striker Gilardino is out suspended. Ancelotti is expected to have Seedorf back this week along with Ronaldo. Look for Milan to go with a 4-3-1-2 featuring Seedorf playing behind Ronaldo and Pippo Inzaghi.

Siena gave Inter Milan a huge boost in their quest for a 3^rd straight Serie A title when they defeated second place AS Roma by a score of 3-0 at the Oreste Granillo. The victory helps the side managed by Beretta climb to 16^th place in Serie A with 20 points on the year. They are 1 point ahead of Parma and 1 point back of 15^th place Livorno. Without question the 3-0 win over Roma will give them a much needed boost of morale. Only one player has been ruled out for this week’s match at that is Galloppa. Siena will maintain a 4-4-2 with Frick playing alongside Maccarone upfront.

While Siena were able to pull of the surprise last week, AC Milan will be ready at home. Milan have not exactly played like world beaters this season at home, and they will be missing Kaka’ of all people. However, in Ronaldo and Inzaghi they maintain a pair of strikers that can instill fear in the best of clubs. Look for Milan to hold serve at home.

Predication: Milan (1-0)

AC Milan vs Genoa

AC Milan are back at the San Siro in round 20 of Serie A to host Genoa. The reigning world club champions are coming off of back to back league wins as they look to climb back into the European qualifying spots of the league table. The visiting Genoa are winners of 3 straight matches and are looking to climb up the table in their own right.

The rossoneri have actually already played two matches this week. They were winners on the road to Udinese last week by a score of 0-1 at the Stadio Friuli to start things off. Then they lost a Coppa Italia match away to Atalanta by a score of 2-1. It was only the first leg so they still have a chance of advancing. Carlo Ancelotti’s club have been very inconsistent this season. They seem to be one club in Europe and a much more vulnerable side in the domestic tournament. They currently sit in 10^th place of the league table with 24 points on the year and sit just 1 point back of 9^th place Palermo. There continue to be a number of injury concerns this week with Pippo Inzaghi, Jankulovski, and the Brazilians Serginho, Dida, and Ronaldo all having been ruled out. AC Milan look set to go with a 4-3-2-1 featuring new signing Alexandre Pato as the lone striker with Seedorf and Kaka just behind him.

Il Grifone come into this contest have strung together 3 straight victories over Parma at home, Lazio on the road and then at home to Atalanta Bergamo in week 19.Their unbeaten run now stands at 4 matches. At this time the side managed by Gasperini are in 8^th place of Serie A with 25 points for the campaign. This has them just behind 7^th place Sampdoria on goal difference, while also just ahead of 9^th place Palermo on goal difference. Out injured this week are Leon of Honduras and Gaetano De Rosa, while Criscito will sit this one out due to suspension. The absence of De Rosa will cause manager Gasperini to alter the 3 man back line with Lucarelli come in at the left side with Bovo moving to the center. The formation with remain a 3-4-3.

While Milan are certainly the superior side on paper this could potentially be tough match for inter given that Genoa play with 3 strikers. However, Pato will be going against a side that features a 3 man back line and that could play a big factor as well. Milan’s inability to win consistently at home, just 1 win in 8 matches, doesn’t inspire much confidence.

Prediction: Draw (1-1)

Inter Milan vs AC Milan

The Milan derby is once again upon us as Inter Milan play host to AC Milan at the Giuseppe Meazza. The defending champions of Inter are at home and their first place standing makes them the logical favorite for many. However, they will be going against an AC Milan outfit who are coming off of a victory in the World Club Cup and are very motivated at this time.

Inter are coming off of a 0-2 win away to Cagliari in their Round 16 match . With that win the neroazzurri were able to extend their lead over 2^nd place Roma to 7 points with 40 on the season. They are the only undefeated side left in Serie A and are winners of their last 5 straight. During this stretch they have outscored the opposition by 13 to 1. In short they have been absolutely dominant at times during the present campaign. While they have had a number of injuries over the past few weeks including such high profile players as Patrick Vieira, Francesco Toldo, Luis Figo and Dejan Stankovic, they have not missed a beat. They will be getting an important player back this week as Ibrahimovic returns to join Julio Cruz in the attack. Cruz has been on fire of late and appears to score a goal in every match- he is that effective. If Inter’s attack were not impressive enough, they have not conceded a goal in 4 matches. Manager Roberto Mancini is certainly living a charmed life these days.

Milan are in 11^th place of the league table with 18 points, 3 back of 10^th place Catania. They did not play a league match in week 16 as they were participating and winning the World Club Cup with a superb 4-1 win over Boca Juniors in the final with Kaka leading the way. Their last match was also a derby, at home to Juventus and they played to a 0-0 draw. The only injury concern for this match is striker Ronaldo who is back in Brazil trying to rehab but manager Carlo Ancelotti still has a couple of doubts. The question marks are right fullback where Oddo appears to have the edge over Cafu, while the other doubt is who will be the lone striker- Pippo Inzaghi or Gilardino. At this time Inzaghi looks to have the inside track to starting with the dynamic due of Clarence Seedorf and Kaka behind him. The overall starting eleven is as close to ideal as AC Milan can get these days.

While Inter are certainly the more in form squad at this time it’s impossible to rule AC Milan completely out. There is a reason why they are the defending UEFA Champions League title holders and World Club champions as well. They also have the world’s player in Kaka for good measure. Look for both sides to play as if it were the world cup final and each to grab a share of the points.

Prediction: Draw (1-1)

AC Milan vs Juventus

AC Milan host Juventus in the big match of Round 14 at the San Siro. Both sides come into this match off of big wins in the previous week but Juve have been by far the more consistent of the two clubs. For AC Milan it will be their final Serie A match before traveling to Japan for the World Club Championship.

Claudio Ranieri’s side were outstanding last week when they hammered Palermo by a score of 5-0 at the Stadio Olimpico di Torino. That victory leaves them just behind Inter Milan in 2^nd place of the Serie A table with 25 points, 3 points back. It must be pointed out however that both 3^rd place Roma and Inter Milan have a match in hand on Juve. A big factor behind the vecchia signora’s superb form in this their first season back in top flight football has been the play of David Trezeguet. He is going through perhaps his best season ever in Italy and currently leads the Serie A in scoring with 11 goals. Together with strike partner Iaquinta they have combined for 17 goals.

Carlo Ancelotti’s club were also successful last week as they scored a 1-2 victory over the struggling Cagliari at the Sant’Elia. Milan have been a very impressive side away from home and that was their 4^th win. The problem for Milan is that those are the only matches they have managed to win this year. At home they have posted just 4 draws and 2 losses. This leaves them in 9^th place of Serie A with 17 points, 1 point behind 8^th place Palermo.

On the injury front, Ancelotti will be without both Jankulovski and Ronaldo for this match. Therefore, the rossoneri will stick with the 4-3-2-1 with top scorer Kaka’ playing alongside Clarence Seedorf just behind Gilardino. Juventus will be without Italy world cup winning winger Mauro German Camoranesi and right back Grygera. Ranieri will go with either Marchionni or Palladino on the right flank for Camoranesi, and Jonathan Zebina of France will cover for Grygera.

While AC Milan should certainly be up for this match they will be taking on a very rugged Juve side who know how to obtain results. Juventus should be able to hold out for the result they are looking for.

Prediction: Draw 1-1

Atalanta vs AC Milan

Atalanta return home after a superb victory away Catania in Round 11. It’s been a remarkable season for the Bergamaschi so far as they have been exceeding all expectations. The victory over Catania puts them in 6^th place of the league table and in line to make a decent run at qualifying for a continental competition. The play of veteran Cristiano Doni and Floccari in attack has been superb with Doni tied for third in Serie A in scoring with 6 goals. There is even more good news for Del Neri’s side this week as left back Gianpaolo Bellini is back after a one month layoff due to injury.

As for the Rossoneri, they are going through one of their worst seasons in recent memory. Last season, AC Milan had been penalized by the FIGC and had points deducted at the start of the season. This led to their hovering around mediocrity for most of the campaign. That was not the case this year but yet Milan have struggled to find their top form in the domestic league. Despite a squad list that is an embarassment of riches, Carlo Ancelotti’s side are in 9^th place of the league table with just 14 points form 11 matches. They are coming off of a disappointing 0-0 draw at home to Torino.

In truth, AC Milan’s struggles have been due in part to the turnover employed by Ancelotti. As the defending UEFA Champions League title holders, the Cup has been the priority at the San Siro and they have not used their best starting eleven for some matches. That will not be the case this week. Save for Ronaldo and Gilardino, who will start on the bench, and the injured Emerson and Jankulovski Milan will go with their full complement of players for this fixture. Kaka’, Pippo Inzaghi, and Clarence Seedorf are set to start.

While Milan are the road side this week they have actually played better on the road than they have at the San Siro where they remain winless this season. At the same time, Atalanta have won just 2 of 5 matches at home and appear to be playing a bit over their heads. Look for Milan to pull off the 3 points on the road.

Prediction: Road win (0-1)

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