Italian Serie A
2008-03-15 - A.S Roma vs A.C Milan
A Sports Betting Pick by Cruiser
Analysis:No doubt this is the match of the week as A.S Roma who are currently in 2nd spot with 58 points takes on A.C Milan in 5th spot with 46 points and in danger of missing out on the Champions League. Should A.S Roma win here then they can live to fight another day to battle for the Scudetto while if A.C Milan wins this match then they are surely going to hand the title to their city rivals Inter Milan to defend their title once again.
A.C Milan were beaten by Arsenal at home in the Champions League last week which meant they failed to defend their European title but they must concentrate on their domestic league now and try to qualify for the Champions League. Their last win over Empoli ended a two match winless run and they had the likes of Massimo Ambrosini and Kaka to thank for who rescued them in the last five minutes of that match it must be said. Now they are just a point behind Fiorentina and will need at least a point here to stay in the hunt to finish fourth come end season.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti is unlikely to change much from the winning side that beat Empoli and will be pleased to have the services of Gennaro Gattuso after suspension. Gattuso is expected to come back straight into the side to replace Yoann Gourcuff. Milan will still miss the services of Brazilian quartet Marcos Cafu, Nelson Dida, Ronaldo and Serginho. However they can welcome back Clarence Seedorf and Alessandro Nesta who have recovered from knocks to start from the bench.
As for A.S Roma, their failure to beat Inter when they conceded a last minute goal from Javier Zanetti ended their hopes of winning the Scudetto. However, with Inter Milan’s poor form at the moment, they are right back in with just 6 points behind the leaders now. Roma continued their charge at the top when they managed to beat Napoli in Naples who just a week ago had beaten Inter Milan! Roma had to thank the likes of Simone Perrotta and Francesco Totti who scored those two goals and Totti has now scored 13 goals from 19 starts.
A.S Roma are unlikely to tinker with their winning side which means that Simone Perrotta and Francesco Totti will once again be the players to watch upfront. The only change we could see from Luciano Spaletti is the introduction of Max Tonetto for Cicinho. That change will result in former Milan stopper Christian Panucci moving to right-back while Juan will start in central midfield alongside Philippe Mexes.
For the record last season when both sides met at the Stadio Olimpico it ended in a 1-1 draw.
But it must be mentioned here that A.S Roma has had the better of meetings with the capital side winning earlier this season as well as winning at the San Siro last season. Prior to last season the clubs regularly took it in turns to take the three points, but Milan will argue that they won the most important match when Andriy Shevchenko’s first minute goal back in May 2004 handed the Rossoneri the points and ensured that they were crowned Champions back then.
A win for Milan here would ensure that Inter keeps their title and Milan will fight another day to get that fourth spot.
Cheers and good luck,
Cruiser
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Draw Match 1-1 or 2-2
BEST BETTING TIP :
Go for this match to end in a draw.
Gooner’s Statistical Value Bet
Take A.C Milan and accept the 1/2 ball [before it changes] or the 1/4 ball here.,
