AC Milan vs Roma

AC Milan and Roma are set to square off at the Stadio San Siro in a mammoth Serie A fixture, their first top-flight match-up on Epiphany since Milan’s 2-1 victory in 2004.

AC Milan pulled off an overwhelming 4-2 win at Empoli to close 2021 out on a high. But despite putting a two-game winless Serie A streak to bed (D1, L1), ‘I Rossoneri’ are already four points below pacesetters Inter Milan, suggesting they must launch a winning streak to keep their title hopes alive. A return to the San Siro may not necessarily be a good omen, as Stefano Pioli’s men have suffered two defeats in their last three Serie A matches here (W1), as many as they had in their previous 13 at home in the competition (W7, D4). Against this backdrop, Milan have won twice in their last three top-flight H2Hs as hosts (D1), bagging 2+ goals on each occasion. In fact, they have won more Serie A encounters versus Roma (77) than against any other side in the competition’s history.

Meanwhile, after falling to a 2-1 loss in the reverse fixture in October, their third Serie A H2H defeat in a row, Roma could lose four top-flight meetings with Milan for the first time since 1996. Keen to avoid that scenario, ‘I Giallorossi’ will look to build on their stunning 4-1 victory at Atalanta in their most recent Serie A travel, as they face the opportunity to register back-to-back league wins away from home for the first time since August 2020. Indeed, Roma’s underwhelming away performances throughout 2021 saw them lose 12 Serie A away games, their worst tally across a single calendar year since 1950. But if they win here, it is likely to be in style, as three of their four away league triumphs this season have come by at least a two-goal margin.