The high-flying Giallorossi host a resurgent Rossoneri side in a Friday evening Serie A clash at the Stadio Olimpico.

Preview: Clarence Seedorf's troops look to make it six for six against a very tough Roma side

Although Rudi Garcia's men are unlikely to catch Juventus, who sit eight points clear with just four games remaining, the Scudetto race is still not done and dusted. The Giallorossi have gone on an amazing winning streak of eight straight games to secure Champions League football for next season and to keep fellow contenders Napoli well at bay with an insurmountable 14 point advantage.

Additionally, the capital club have exceeded expectations by far during this year's Serie A campaign. Not only are their two losses tied for the best alongside the Bianconeri, but also boast the strongest defensive record, with just 19 goals conceded from their first 34 games--less than two per match--and their 69 goals scored are only second to the Bianconeri's 72.

 

While they will be without the services of Mattia Destro, the team's leading scorer with 13 goals due to a lengthy suspension, the evergreen captain Francesco Totti and Gervinho, who has been solid all season should be more than capable of coping in his absence. Other absentees of note are midfielder Kevin Strootman and defenders Mehdi Benatia and Federico Balzaretti due to injuries.

On paper, the 31 point gap between these two sides seems like it should be a straightforward three points for the hosts, but Milan has had a sudden uptick in form, winning five straight games and vaulting up the table into seventh place. Moreover, the Rossoneri have kept things very tight at the back, conceding just a solitary goal to Genoa in their 2-1 victory. This is something that will certainly give them a confidence boost coming head-to-head with a side that has scored two goals in all but one of their last eight matches.

In terms of personnel, Stephan El Shaarawy might finally make his long-awaited return to action after a nightmare season, but it is likely that should il Faraone feature, he will have to settle for a spot on the bench. Of course, attacking duo Kaka and Mario Balotelli will certainly warrant close attention from their opponents, with the Brazilian also having his own personal renaissance as of later and the mercurical Italian striker seemingly beginning to settle down under the tutelage of the former Diavolo midfielder.

Unfortunately, tough-tackling Dutch midfielder Nigel De Jong will miss out due to a ban, but there is good news regarding three of the team's injured players. Keisuke Honda, who finally scored his first Serie A goal against Genoa, is set to return from an ankle injury, while veteran midfielder Michael Essien appears to have recovered from a thigh strain to be included in the squad. And young defender Mattia De Sciglio, who has been repeatedly linked with La Liga giants Real Madrid at various points this season through the Italian press, was also another who trained with the team and as a result has been added to Seedorf's list.

With just a quartet of games remaining this season, both sides head into this game having won their last five games, so it is certainly a clash that can easily go either way. On the surface, it appears all the cards are in favour of Roma, but given the importance of these last few matches for Milan to secure European football, it would not be entirely irrational to possibly see an upset of sorts occur at the Stadio Olimpico on Friday evening.

Where to watch the match – live stream, start time, TV channels, live scores

Watch Roma vs Milan live on Friday, April 25, 2014:

In Canada at 14.45 ET on: beIN Sports Play Canada, beIN Sports Canada

In the US at 14.45 EST on: SiriusXM FC, beIN Sports Play, beIN Sports en Español, beIN Sports USA

In the UK at 19.45 BST on: BT Sport 1

In Italy at 20.45 CET on: Premium Calcio, Sky Supercalcio HD, Sky Calcio 1

For live score updates and more live listings of the game, visit the Roma vs Milan match page.