AC Milan vs AS Roma: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head

The match can have a lot of say on the title runs of the two teams.

Two giants of Serie A need a win to achieve their respective objectives, with the defending champions looking to cut their gap to Napoli and their guests from the capital city seeking to advance in their quest for a top-four finish.

On Sunday night at the San Siro stadium, the defending champions AC Milan will take on Jose Mourinho's AS Roma. Milan is ranked second in Serie A with 36 points, while Roma is ranked sixth with 30 points. Both clubs have one loss in their previous five league games; however, Milan has three wins, Roma has two, and both teams have one loss.

The Rossoneri have 11 wins, three ties, and two losses after 16 league games, while the Giallorossi have nine wins, four losses, and three ties. While Roma has played a tie and lost three of their past four league road games against Milan, AC Milan has won 10 of its last 11 Serie A home games.

Kick-off: 1:15 AM (IST), 7:45 PM (GMT)

AC Milan form (all competitions): D-W-L-L-L-W

AS Roma form (all competitions): D-L-L-W-W-W

Team News

Milan's injured list, which seems averse to change, is still long before Roma's arrival; in addition to Ante Rebic, Simon Kjaer, Divock Origi, Rade Krunic, Junior Messias, and Alessandro Florenzi, these players have all been working out on their own this week.

Olivier Giroud continues to start up front, while Ciprian Tatarusanu fills in for Maignan in goal as Zlatan Ibrahimovic continues his recuperation programme in Miami.

Rafael Leao might potentially score in three straight league games for the first time in his Calcio career after his goals against Fiorentina and Salernitana, as Stefano Pioli selects a team that is quite similar to the one that won three points in midweek.

Paulo Dybala should be ready to start for Roma at San Siro even if Georginio Wijnaldum, who is expected to return to play later this month, is still sidelined. Mady Camara, a fellow midfielder, is also questionable after suffering an ankle injury in training.

The latter was taken off with cramps in the middle of the week, but he resumed full training on Thursday. Only one of his 12 Serie A goals against Milan to date - his first, for Palermo in November 2014 - came away from home. He was involved in seven of his own and five of his teammates' goals.

Rick Karsdorp seems to have played his last match for the club after a public falling out with Jose Mourinho, and Zeki Celik should remain on the opposition's right side. Meanwhile, injured attacker Andrea Belotti and recent acquisition Ola Solbakken are also available to reinforce the bench.

AC Milan's possible starting lineup:Tatarusanu; Calabria, Kalulu, Tomori, Hernandez; Tonali, Bennacer; Saelemaekers, Diaz, Leao; Giroud

Roma's possible starting lineup:Patricio; Mancini, Smalling, Ibanez; Celik, Cristante, Pellegrini, Zalewski; Zaniolo, Dybala; Abraham

Players to Watch

Olivier Giroud

Olivier Giroud had one of the best World Cup performances and has scored five goals and three assists for Milan this season. After giving great performances in the past 3 months. The Frenchmen is just starting after he became his country's all-time top scorer with 53 goals.

Paulo Dybala

The World Cup winner will try to get on the scoresheet for Roma again. He has scored five goals in 10 appearances for Roma this season. The Argentine played a crucial role for his country after saving Kylian Mbappe's shot, which was the potential of a goal, and it could have caused Argentina the World Cup.

Match Prediction

Milan will be out for revenge after Napoli's first blunder, and they now face a Roma team known for losing to teams in the top six.

The Giallorossi have the greatest proportion of goals from set pieces (42%), while the Rossoneri have scored the most open-play goals (28); therefore, the home team should prevail in an interesting contrast of styles.

Prediction: Roma 2-1 AC Milan