Sunday, December 19, 2010

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18-12-2010 20:45 Milan - Roma

Ending On A High

Milan have had a brilliant second half of 2010 as they have been sensational in the first-half of the 2010-11 season. The Rossoneri are flying high in Serie A and are also through to the second round of the Champions League where they will confront Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur.

Currently perched on pole position with 36 points from 16 matches, Massimiliano Allegri's side are six points ahead of their nearest rivals in the Scudetto race and are bookmakers' favourites to win the championship.

With reigning Italian champions Inter struggling and already 13 points off the pace (albeit with a game of hand), only Juventus are credible title-challengers, meaning that the Rossoneri do have a very good chance of conquering Italy for the first time since 2004.

However, the Diavolo will aspire to wrap up the year with a victory over Roma. The Lupi have almost relinquished championship hopes but they do have the ability to hurt Milan. Conceding a defeat just before the Christmas break could be detrimental to Allegri's team's psyche and would also break their seven-game unbeaten run in the league as well.

Scudetto Chimera

With 26 points from 16 matches, Roma have virtually given up their slim hopes of a Scudetto challenge. On Saturday evening the Lupi will almost certainly lose sight of Milan if they lose at San Siro.

However, Roma will head to Milan with confidence after defeating Bari 1-0 at the Stadio Olimpico and having drawn Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk in the second round of the Champions League, Claudio Ranieri's men will be confident of further progress in Europe.

To win in Milan, though, the Giallorossi will have to put in extra effort as they have won just once away from Rome all season in the league. Roma's defence too has looked susceptible as they have conceded 15 goals in eight away matches.

TEAM NEWS

Milan

Pato, Inzaghi, Oduamadi, Flamini, Thiago Silva and Zambrotta are injured and will miss the visit of Roma.

Roma

Vucinic and Lobont are injured and will miss the trip to Milan.

Prediction
Milan have proved themselves to be hugely strong at home and will be confident of crafting a win against Roma at San Siro. It could eventually prove to be a crucial match in the Scudetto race in the long run and one suspects that Allegri will tactically outwit Ranieri and gain maximum points.

Milan 2-1 Roma