AC Milan Vs. AS Roma, 2012 Serie A Week 29: Rossoneri Look To Widen The Gap

AC Milan will look to extend their lead at the top of the Serie A table with a solid victory over AS Roma on Saturday evening. The rossoneri bowed out of the Coppa Italia earlier in the week after losing their semi-final in a thrilling encounter with Juventus -- the last thing they'll want this evening is to give the Old Lady the opportunity to close the gap. But Roma, sitting in sixth, still cling to their hopes of European football next season, and with only four points separating them from rivals Lazio, in third, the giallorossi won't be eager to provide Milan with any favors.

Although Roma have secured all six points from their last two matches, the wins against Palermo and Genoa weren't exactly emphatic. In both matches, Roma scored inside the first five minutes. It's not as though their chances were lacking after going ahead, but rather that the side appears to be lacking precision. Against a team that's both strong defensively and able to prey upon misplaced passes, the giallorossi might very well struggle to find the net. Luis Enrique's strategy might simply be to tell his team to get the ball to Fabio Borini. The youngster has 9 goals in 18 appearances, and while much of Roma's attack could frustrate Milan, it's Borini that is most likely to make the most of those opportunities.

The home side, of course, have a very potent weapon in their arsenal: Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Much of the rest of the rossoneri might be spending their time on the treatment table, but as long as Ibra is available, a loss seems unfathomable. With all other options exhausted, he'll be partnered by Stephan El Shaarawy up front. Although Kevin Prince-Boateng returns from injury, his delicate nature means it's likely Urby Emanuelson will get the start. There's nothing delicate about Mark Van Bommel, however, and his return will almost certainly see him back in midfield to destroy the Roma attack.