Preview: AC Milan vs. Roma

Two of Italian football's most recognisable teams will meet on Saturday evening, as AC Milan welcome Roma to San Siro.

The Rossoneri have endured a difficult season and have lost their previous three games, while their opponents remain firmly on course to clinch a Champions League spot.

AC Milan

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Milan's troubles this season show no sign of ending and in their last match against Napoli they suffered another miserable evening.

The game was barely a minute old when Mattia De Sciglio was sent off for bringing down Marek Hamsik inside the box. Gonzalo Higuain missed from the resulting spot kick, but his side eventually ran out 3-0 winners.

It was another blow for Filippo Inzaghi, but his team did produce a spirited and gusty defensive display in Naples, and it wasn't until the 70th minute that their goal was finally breached.

That result means that the club have now lost three league games in a row for the first time this season and they haven't managed to claim a win since their 2-1 victory over Palermo at the start of April.

Should their poor run of form continue, then they may very well end the season in the bottom half of the league table, and they are only in 10th position at the moment due to a slightly better goal difference than Palermo.

No matter what happens between now and the end of the season on the pitch, there are bound to be drastic changes to the club in the summer, as current owner Silvio Berlusconi is reportedly in talks with Thai businessman Bee Taechaubol over a potential takeover.

Recent form: WDDLLL

Roma

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Roma may not have endured as many problems as Milan have this season, but their poor form since the turn of the year has almost cost them dearly.

Their firm grip on a place inside the top three has loosened considerably in recent months and a 2-1 defeat at Inter Milan two weeks ago set alarm bells ringing.

However, they seem to have bounced back to form, and victories over Sassuolo and Genoa in the past week have seen them climb into second place and above their city rivals Lazio.

In fact, their 2-0 victory over Genoa at the weekend was only their second win at home in the league since last November. It is their form at the Stadio Olimpico that has seriously hampered their progress and has stopped them from seriously challenging Juventus for the title.

They have found it hard to kill teams off and have drawn 10 of their Serie A fixtures since January, but the return to fitness of Seydou Doumbia seems to have coincided with their current winning run and the Ivory Coast international has found the net in each of his last two games.

Recent form: WDDLWW

Team News

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Milan will be forced to cope without De Sciglio following his red card against Napoli.

They are also without top-scorer Jeremy Menez, who will serve the second of a four-match ban.

In a further blow, Riccardo Montolivo will not play again this season after undergoing surgery to remove pins from his leg.

Roma have no players ruled out through suspension, but long-term absentees Maicon, Kevin Strootman and Leandro Castan are expected to miss out.

Doumbia is a slight doubt after picking up a knock last weekend against Genoa, but he is expected to continue in the attack.

AC Milan possible starting lineup: Lopez, Abate, Alex, Paletta, Antonelli, Poli, De Jong, Van Ginkel, Bonaventura, Honda, Destro

Roma possible starting lineup: De Sanctis, Florenzi, Astori, Manolas, Torisidis, Pjanic, De Rossi, Nainggolan, Iturbe, Gervinho, Doumbia

Head To Head

There was little to cheer when these teams met earlier this season, as they played out a goalless draw at the Stadio Olimpico.

It was the second time in four games that they have both failed to score, while three of those matches have ended in stalemates.

With four red cards shown in their last five clashes, it is sure to be another feisty affair in Milan this weekend.

© Sports Mole / SM

We say: AC Milan 0-2 Roma

Milan can't seem to buy a win at the moment and everything is going against them. Meanwhile, Roma look to have rediscovered their early season form and have a place in the Champions League to play for. It should be a tight match, but we think that Roma will have enough quality to come out on top.