Prediction: AC Milan vs Atalanta

Verdict: AC Milan win

Best Odds: 6/5

Bookmaker: Unibet

In a real Serie A heavyweight showdown on Sunday night, AC Milan will welcome Atalanta to the San Siro for what could be a season-defining affair.

AC Milan

Starting with the hosts, while AC Milan might have marked their return from the World Cup break in the midst of a rather public nightmare, the Italian giants have found a welcomed boost over the past fortnight. Along with opening their Champions League knockout stage adventure last week with a 1-0 victory at home against Premier League outfit Tottenham, the Rossoneri have now won each of their last three matchups across all formats. With Stefano Pioli easing some of the pressure on his shoulders, fans around the San Siro are now calling on their side to keep up their recent momentum here. Likewise, along with being last seen claiming another 1-0 win away at top-half contenders Monza, AC Milan should be boosted by their improvements at the back. In fact, it should be highlighted, Sunday’s hosts have recorded three consecutive clean sheets for the first time this season.

Team News

AC Milan have already confirmed that they will once again be without the trio of Mike Maignan, Ismael Bennacer and Davide Calabria on Sunday night.

Having to settle for a spot on the bench last weekend, 36-year-old Olivier Giroud will be hoping for a full recall here. The former Chelsea striker should partner attacking talisman Rafael Leao in the final third.

Atalanta

As for the visitors, although Atalanta might have enjoyed a stellar return from the World Cup’s winter break, La Dea are enduring a recent wobble. While Gian Piero Gasperini’s men might have claimed a much-needed 2-0 victory away at Lazio on February 11th, it appears that might have just been a minor boost for the Bergamo-based outfit. Last seen putting in a nightmare display on home soil as they were hit with a shock 2-1 loss at home against Lecce, Sunday’s guests have lost three of their last four domestic matchups across all formats. Likewise, along with opening February with a 1-0 loss at the hands of Sassuolo, Atalanta should be worried by their extended issues against AC Milan. Despite playing out a 1-1 draw when they welcomed the Rossoneri to the Gewiss Stadium back in August, that is the only point they have collected from their previous four meetings.

Team News

Shown a costly booking in Atalanta’s 2-1 loss at home against Leece last weekend, defender Merih Demiral will serve a one-match suspension and miss out on Sunday night.

Likewise, long-term injury absentees Duvan Zapata, Mario Pasalic and Hans Hateboer will not travel to the San Siro. However, now finding the net in back-to-back Serie A appearances, 20-year-old Rasmus Hojlund will spearhead La Dea’s attack.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last met back on August 21st, Atalanta and AC Milan played out a 1-1 draw at the Gewiss Stadium.
• However, that is the only point that La Dea have collected from their previous four meetings against Sunday’s hosts.
• AC Milan have won each of their previous three matchups across all formats by a 1-0 scoreline.
• Atalanta have lost three of their last four domestic appearances across all competitions.
• Sunday’s hosts have recorded three consecutive clean sheets for the first time this season.

Conclusion

Appearing to have turned a much-needed corner over the past fortnight, AC Milan will be desperate to lay down another marker here. Opening their Champions League knockout stage adventure with a 1-0 victory against Premier League outfit Tottenham, Sunday’s hosts have now secured three consecutive wins across all formats. Showing some clear defensive improvements on their three-match winning run, AC will be looking to cash in on an Atalanta squad who are enduring a recent wobble. Last seen getting hit with a shock 2-1 loss at home against Lecce, La Dea have lost three of their last four domestic contests. Collecting just a single point in their last four meetings against the defending Serie A champions, we’re backing a home draw no bet here.

Verdict: AC Milan win

Best Odds: 6/5

Bookmaker: Unibet