Serie A Matchup: Roma vs AC Milan Betting Odds
Italian Heavyweights Face Off
Roma Winless Through Two Matches
AS Roma’s start to the 2023-24 Serie A season hasn’t gone according to plan thus far. Through two matches, they’re 0-1-1 and have conceded four goals in two matches. Looking for their first win, they’ll take on high-flying AC Milan on Friday. AC Milan has comfortably won both matches, and their attacking pieces have started to gel. We’ll run through the Roma vs. Milan betting odds in a clash between Italian heavyweights.
AS Roma vs AC Milan
Day/Time:
Location: Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy
Head-to-Head:
AC Milan are unbeaten in their last seven games on the Serie A schedule vs. Roma. In each of those matches, both teams have gotten on the scoresheet. Last season, these teams drew twice, but AC Milan won three of the previous five meetings. Tammy Abraham, who suffered an ACL injury for Roma in June, scored in both meetings last year.
Mourinho Returning to Sidelines for Roma
The ever-fiery Roma manager Jose Mourinho was suspended this season for the Giallorossi’s first two Serie A games. The Italian Football Federation punished Mourinho after he had called a referee “the worst I have met in my life”. He’ll return to the sidelines in time for Friday’s match vs. AC Milan. In the two matches Mourinho missed, Roma drew 2-2 vs. Salernitana and lost 2-1 at Verona.
Andrea Belotti scored his first two Serie A goals for Roma in the draw vs. Salernitana. Meanwhile, Houssem Aouar scored his first goal for the Giallorossi at Verona but it wasn’t enough. First-half goals from Ondrej Duda and Cyril Ngonge powered Verona to a 2-1 win. Roma are in the bottom half of Serie A through two matches.
That isn’t necessarily expected to change here, as the Roma vs Milan betting odds price this match as a pick’em. Roma’s defense has looked out of sorts over the last couple of matches. Former center-back Roger Ibanez seems to be missed following his transfer to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli.
Up front, Tammy Abraham is out for the next few months, which means Paulo Dybala and Belotti will be relied upon. Reportedly, Roma is nearing a deal to bring in Romelu Lukaku on loan from Chelsea as well.
Pulisic and Giroud Shine for AC Milan
Signing Christian Pulisic from Chelsea was an intriguing proposition for AC Milan. The winger’s talent is undeniable, but his injury record prevented him from becoming a key player at Chelsea. So far, so good for the American, as he’s scored in both of AC Milan’s matches so far. He finished off a tap-in to open up the scoring in the 4-1 thrashing of Torino on Saturday. Olivier Giroud scored two penalties in the match and is in the joint-lead in the Serie A stats, with three goals in two games.
Through two matches, AC Milan have found the net six times, and they’ve got a bunch of dynamic players who can make things happen. Rafael Leao managed an assist on Saturday, but he’s yet to get on the scoresheet this season. The 2021-22 Serie A Player of the Year is one of world soccer’s most dangerous players on a counterattack.
With many injury problems last year, depth seemed to be a problem at times for the Rossoneri. They did solid business in the transfer market this Summer and seem to have a balanced team, even though they sold midfielder Sandro Tonali to Newcastle.
New arrivals Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Tijjani Reijnders, and Pulisic have started both Serie A games so far. Meanwhile, fellow new signings Noah Okafor, Samuel Chukwueze, and Yunus Musah should provide much-needed depth.
Match Analysis & Odds
A quick look at the Roma vs Milan betting odds shows that this is expected to be a tight game. Both teams come in at identical +165 moneyline odds and offer -110 odds to cover as a pick’em. Getting Jose Mourinho back on the sidelines should mean some added motivation for Roma players. They’ve disappointed by failing to win their first two games, and a win at home over one of Italy’s best teams would galvanize the fanbase.
However, AC Milan has looked incredibly dangerous over the last couple of weeks. They could be contenders to win the Scudetto this season and figure to be a difficult team to beat. The last meeting at the Stadio Olimpico finished in a draw, and another one comes in at +205 odds here.
Even though five of the last six meetings have finished with three goals or more, under 2.5 goals display -155 odds. Roma’s defense has conceded twice in both of their matches so far, and they’re coming up against an even more formidable opponent on Saturday. Roma will have to be incredibly careful in possession not to let Leao or Pulisic start deadly counterattacks.
For Serie A betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
