Roma vs. AC Milan Odds, Predictions & Betting Tips
Italian football is enjoying somewhat of a resurgence on the continent, with five teams featuring in semi-finals across the Champions League, Europa League, and Europa Conference League.
Two of those teams, Roma and AC Milan, face-off in a crunch Serie A clash on Saturday evening (BT Sport 2, 5pm) as the fight for a top-4 finish really starts to heat up.
AC Milan (4th) and Roma (5th) have carded the same points tallies (56) and goal difference (+14) after 31 matches; so Milan's superior goals scored (51) is all that separates them from Roma (43) in the table.
Yet, while the Scudetto is out of reach, both teams are engulfed in an exciting six-team scramble for a prized top-4 finish, with Lazio, Juventus, Inter, and Atalanta also in the mix.
Hosts Roma head into this one on the back of a damaging 3-1 defeat to top-4 rivals Atalanta, which halted their three-game winning streak in the league.
Milan beat Lecce 2-0 to extend their unbeaten league run to four matches, which includes a sensational 4-0 romp at the home of champions-in-waiting Napoli.
Virtually nothing separates the teams in the betting. Both are priced around the 9/5 mark for all three points, while a draw can be backed at 21/10.
Below, we bring you our best bets for the eagerly anticipated match-up in Italy's capital.
Roma vs AC Milan Tips
Rafael Leao Over 1.5 Shots On Target
Rafael Leao has conjured up some scintillating performances for Milan in recent weeks.
His two goal-haul handed the Rossoneri a 2-0 win over Lecce last weekend; he bagged a brace in the 4-0 destruction of Napoli earlier this month; then returned to haunt the same opponents in the Champions League in the form of two assists, including a sensational solo surge which penetrated a helpless Napoli midfield and defence during the second-leg.
No Milan player has racked up more Shots On Target in Serie A this season than the dazzling winger (25), who I'll be tasking with firing at least two shots on the Roma goal this weekend at a best-priced 11/4 with Paddy Power.
It's a bet that has landed in each of his last three league starts.
Roger Ibanez to be carded
Into the cards market we go with a 12/5 offering on Roma's Roger Ibanez to be booked on Saturday.
Known for his tenacity, Ibanez has been handed a whopping 13 yellows in all competitions this season, picking up seven in his last 13 appearances which includes a sending-off in the 1-0 defeat to rivals Lazio.
The defender was booked in the 2-2 draw against Milan earlier this year and will no doubt be in the thick of it against the same opponents this weekend, especially with trickster Rafael Leao in such fine fettle right now, while Olivier Giroud is an absolute handful for any backline.
With this in mind, he looks a very decent price out at 12/5 with Bet Victor.
