Massimiliano Allegri acknowledged AC Milan are in for a tough test when they host Roma for a seismic Serie A clash on Sunday.

The Milan boss says Roma are well deserving of their place at the Serie A summit, level on points with defending champions Napoli and three clear of the Rossoneri.

Milan are in fine form as well, having lost just one Serie A clash all season, an opening-day defeat to Cremonese.

Allegri heaped praise on Sunday's visitors ahead of what could be an almighty meeting between two Italian giants.

“Yes, they have only conceded four goals, and they always give the feeling that they can score,” Allegri said at a press conference.

“I don’t know if they’ll remain at the top, but I know we need to get consistent results.”

Allegri will also reunite with his ex-Juventus star Paulo Dybala when Roma visit.

“His qualities are well-known. He arrived in Turin when he was 21, and he has grown a lot," he added. "He has an excellent scoring average, he knows how to play football, and he rarely makes mistakes when he shoots on target."

"[Roma] are not the table leaders by chance. It’s always tough to face [Gian Piero] Gasperini’s teams."

Although Allegri lavished his upcoming opponents with praise, Roma boss Gasperini refused to be drawn on a potential Scudetto challenge.

"I’m not taking part in these discussions about the Scudetto or the Champions League," he said.

"Right now, I’m focused on how Roma will approach the match against Milan. We’ve both had an excellent start. Then, like everyone, I think Inter and Napoli began the season as the favourites.

"Our goal is to test ourselves at San Siro against a strong team.

"In terms of points, it’s hard to ask for more. The goal is to keep improving, building a solid team structure and becoming increasingly competitive. We hope the points we earn will be effective."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

AC Milan – Rafael Leao

Rafael Leao has provided four assists in Serie A against Roma, his joint-best tally against an opponent, having also managed four against Verona and Lazio.

The Milan forward has scored in his last two home league games as well, but has only found the net once in three consecutive home appearances in the competition, between April and May 2022.

Roma – Paulo Dybala

Paulo Dybala has 16 goal involvements against Milan in all competitions (10 goals, six assists), only managing more against Udinese (24 – 14 goals, 10 assists).

The Argentina forward has also been involved in six goals in his last nine competitive matches against the Rossoneri (two goals, four assists).

MATCH PREDICTION – AC MILAN WIN

Roma have won seven of their nine Serie A games so far, and only three times in their history have they recorded more victories in the first 10 matches in a Serie A season.

They won eight in 2000-01, 10 in 2013-14 and another eight in 2017-18, but their strong start could be halted by Milan here.

Milan are unbeaten in 10 of their last 11 league matches against Roma (W6 D4), although they lost their most recent one 3-1 at the Olimpico last May.

However, Roma have not won two in a row against Milan in Serie A since May 2016 and October 2017 (four consecutive victories).

Milan have also won more Serie A matches against Roma than any other side in their history (80 wins in 180 meetings – 54 draws, 46 defeats).

You would have to go back to October 2017 for Roma's last away league win against Milan, who are unbeaten in seven such meetings since (W4 D3).

This Roma side are a different proposition, though, boasting both the most away wins (11) and most clean sheets away from home (nine) this year in Europe's top-five leagues.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

AC Milan win – 44.5%
Draw – 28.1%
Roma win – 27.4%