AS Roma vs. Inter Milan Italy Serie A, Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Milan, Italy 2:45 PM EST Sunday November 8, 2009
by Jason Green at Predictem.com
Match odds: The moneyline for this match has Inter Milan as the major favorite at -161 with AS Roma posted at +450 with a draw at +250.
Over/Under: 2.5
In a big Italy Serie A rivalry match this Sunday night at San Siro Inter Milan hosts AS Roma. This rivalry is still big, but this match does not have as much at stake as in recent years since Roma is struggling in the domestic league. AS Roma sits in 14th position in the league while Inter is where they usually are in 1st place.
For the past few seasons Inter has won their domestic league, but have struggled in the Champions League. That seemed to be the case this season as well, as on Tuesday night they were down 1-0 to Dynamo Kiev in a must win match. They scored 2 goals in the last 10 minutes to win and now lead their group. Inter is one fire, as they have won 5 straight matches in the Serie A and they are 7 points clear of the second place club. They are playing solid on both sides of the pitch, as they have scored the most goals in the league (28) and have given up the 2nd fewest (9).
Roma has been up and down this season, as after a horrible start they began to play well, but then faltered again with a few losses in a row. However, they may have turned the corner again, as they have won 2 in a row and had to come back from a 1-0 halftime deficit at home to beat Fulham in this week’s Euorpa League match.
Since Claudio Ranieri took over as Roma manager the results have been mixed, as he is a more defensive minded coach and ex-manager Luciano Spalletti was a more offensive mined one. Even though it looks like it they will not catch Inter for the league title Roma does have the talent to finish in the top 4, which will give them an automatic Champions League berth next season. To do that they have to start winning now. No matter where these two teams play against each other the match tends to be close and a very exciting one. Inter has not beat Roma at San Siro since 2005.
Inter Milan Recent Form:
11/4/2009 Dynamo Kiev 1 Inter 2 (Champions League)
11/1/2009 Livorno 0 Inter 2 (Serie A)
10/29/2009 Inter 5 Palermo 3 (Serie A)
10/24/2009 Inter 2 Catania 1 (Serie A)
10/20/2009 Inter 2 Dynamo Kiev 2 (Champions League)
AS Roma Recent Form:
11/5/2009 Roma 2 Fulham 1 (Europa League)
11/12009 Roma 2 Bologna 1 (Serie A)
10/28/2009 Udinese 2 Roma 1 (Serie A)
10/25/2009 Roma 0 Livorno 1 (Serie A)
10/22/2009 Fulham 1 Roma 1 (Europa League)
Inter has a full squad for this match, as they are healthy for the most part. They should play in the same formation as they did in Kiev earlier in the week with Samuel Eto’o leading the attack.
Roma is missing some key players, as captain and goal scoring machine Francesco Totti, defender Juan and GK Doni will all miss this match due to injuries.
Mirko Vucinic is now the biggest threat for Roma and they will need his offense in this match. He has not got off to a great start this season and if his struggles continue it may be hard for Roma to get on the scoreboard.
Totti is the big offensive weapon for Roma and without him the other strikers have to step up for the away squad. Because Totti is out Roma may play a more defensive minded match and clog the midfield.
Even if Roma does get some scoring chances on the stingy Inter defense they have to score against Inter GK Julio Cesar, who is having a stellar season.
Even though Samuel Eto’o is the big star for Inter on offense it is Diego Milito who has been their most reliable goal-scorer. He has scored in the last 2 matches including the vital goal to tie up the match between Dynamo Kiev on Tuesday night.
One of the reasons Inter is so good is that they have one of the best midfields. If they can control the midfield in this match and create some scoring chances they should win this match.
Jason’s Pick: Even though Roma has played well in Milan in recent years Inter is on a roll and they simply have too much talent to win. Add to the fact Totti is out for Roma and taking away one of the best strikers in the world does not help playing team the caliber of Inter. I look for Inter to dominate this match and win by a score of 3-0.
