Serie A: Big Players Win Big Games

AC Milan vs AS Roma

The third round of Serie A 2018 kicks off at the Giuseppe Meazza in Milan this weekend as the Rossoneri host Roma in a clash of two Champions League hopefuls.

Of course, Roma are already in Europe’s flagship competition, but for Gennaro Gattuso’s Milan it’s target number one; this is exactly the type of game they need to win to prove their credentials. The Serie A 2018 odds put both sides in and around the top, with Roma tipped to finish third again while Milan try to turn a likely fifth place into fourth.

Eusebio Di Francesco’s Roma made a decent start with a knack for winning points late in the game, while Milan are yet to get off the mark.

Talking Points

Last week, Milan led 1-2 in Naples before succumbing to a late onslaught by the hosts. And that was the Rossoneri’s first game of the season, following the Genoa bridge tragedy on the opening weekend, which sadly overshadowed the Serie A 2018 news of the day.

Roma rescued a point last week after being 1-3 down to an attacking Atalanta side, thanks to an 82^nd-minute equaliser by Kostas Manolas. Apparently, Eusebio Di Francesco broke a hand in his celebration of the late goal due to his delight!

Both teams have shown they have ability running through their teams from front to back, and there will be some key battles in Milan this weekend.

Who is the more lethal striker?

We’re going to see two former Capocannonieres at the Giuseppe Meazza, and the hosts will be hoping that Gonzalo Higuain can rediscover his mojo. The former Napoli and Juventus hitman has said how happy he is to be with the Rossoneri after his £18m loan move from the Juventus., It could end up as a permanent deal next summer if all goes well, and this is a big year for both player and club.

Higuain top-scored for Napoli in 2016, with a record-equalling 36 league goals, but struggled to replicate that kind of form with the Bianconeri. He’s ready to show what he can do in Milan.

Lining up for I Giallorossi will be the 2017 top scorer Edin Dzeko. The Bosnian striker won three points away to Torino with an 89^th-minute goal on the opening day of this season, but it was in 2016/17 that he ripped the league apart with 29 goals. He’s a handful in the air and on the ground and, alongside new recruit Justin Kluivert, could be devastating.

Who is the safer keeper?

Can Gianluigi Donnarumma secure AC Milan's first win? — Gianluigi Donnarumma to see in action against AS Roma

The goalkeepers will have the eyes of the football world on them, but for different reasons.

Milan’s 19-year-old Gianluigi Donnarumma has a big career ahead of him and has already been watched by clubs from the Premier League, including Chelsea, and La Liga. Gattuso will be keen to keep his young keeper’s feet firmly on the ground, but at 6 foot 5 he commands his area and could become a natural successor to Gigi Buffon in the national team.

Robin Olsen has taken over from Alisson as Roma’s custodian and he has a safe pair of hands, helping Sweden to their first World Cup quarter-final in 24 years at Russia 2018. The former Copenhagen man has signed a five-year contract and looks set to make the Number One jersey his own.

Who will get hold of the midfield?

Javier Pastore is expected to challenge AC Milan to win in Serie A — Javier Pastore is a player to watch out as Roma face AC Milan

With pace, power and skill in the middle, both teams have a player to call the shots.

Giacomo Bonaventura is Milan through and through; he is a fan of the Rossoneri and his dream to play for them came true in 2014. Now in his fifth season at the club, he is looking as hungry as anyone and was desperately unlucky that his side lost last week after he put in an epic performance.

Javier Pastore looks an inspired signing for Roma at £24m, following the departure of Radja Nainggolan, and the Argentine scored a wonder goal in the draw with Atalanta. In 184 appearances for PSG, as they dominated Ligue 1, he scored 29 goals; the Roma fans can expect more of the same.

History

After a pre-season in the ICC, Milan now lost four in five, but let’s not read too much into that. A single-goal defeat to Spurs and a penalty shoot-out with Manchester United are included, as is last week’s unlucky Serie A defeat.

Roma are already at the right end of the table but played a game more, so form doesn’t mean too much at this stage.

The head-to-head between these two great clubs couldn’t be much closer; Milan won 20, with Roma winning 18 and 18 ending in a draw.

Roma won four of the last five but, interestingly, both of last season’s games were won by the visitors 0-2: Milan won at the Stadio Olimpico in February with goals from Davide Calabria and Patrick Cutrone.

Betting Tip

	AC Milan vs Roma	AC Milan, Draw no Bet @1.83
	September 1, 02:30 (GMT+8)

This game is so close to call with Milan at 2.46, Roma at 2.83 with the draw at 3.25. But from what we saw of the Rossoneri last week, they have plenty in their locker. So does Roma, and the visitors will be dangerous until the very last minute.

You can get a Draw no Bet offer on Roma at 2.11 with SBOBET, but I think a passionate Milan crowd will give the hosts the edge.