Prediction: AC Milan vs Fiorentina

Verdict: Over 1.5 goals

Best Odds: 2/5

Bookmaker: Luckster

Seeking a crucial boost when they return from November’s international break this weekend, AC Milan will welcome Fiorentina to the San Siro on Saturday night.

AC Milan

Starting with the hosts, while AC Milan might have opened up the 2023/24 campaign in the midst of a major purple patch, it is fair to say that the Italian heavyweights have come crashing back down to earth. Heading into November’s international break with a real missed opportunity as they eventually had to settle for a 2-2 stalemate away at Leece, Stefano Pioli appears to have come mounting pressure on his shoulders. Although the Rossoneri might have claimed a thrilling 2-1 win against French icons PSG while on Champions League duties earlier in the month, that is the only victory that AC Milan have collected from their previous six appearances across all competitions. With that extended inconsistent spell stemming all the way back to October 7th, Saturday’s hosts are desperate to claim a crucial boost when they return to Serie A action this weekend.

Team News

Dealing with what has become a tacked injury list at the San Siro, AC Milan are once again expected to be without the likes of Ismael Bennacer, Pierre Kalulu, Marco Sportiello and Simon Kjaer. Likewise, sustaining a muscle injury prior to November’s international break, former Chelsea star Christian Pulisic is a major doubt on Saturday night.

Likewise, shown a red card against Leece on November 11th, Olivier Giroud will serve a one-match suspension here. Despite bagging just a single strike since the end of September, attacking talisman Rafael Leao will spearhead AC Milan’s charge this weekend.

Fiorentina

As for the visitors, while Fiorentina might have opened November in the midst of a minor blip, the Viola have impressed many since opening up the 2023/24 campaign. With some in Vincenzo Italiano’s camp dreaming of the chance to mount a genuine top-six charge this time around, the Tuscany-based outfit could be smelling the chance to make a real statement here. Heading into the fortnight interval with a 2-1 victory at home against Bologna, the Lilies have lost just a trio of their previous 13 appearances across all competitions – a run that stems back to a 4-0 drumming against Inter Milan on September 3rd. Although Fiorentina might travel to the San Siro tipped as a landslide underdog, Saturday’s guests will be excited by their most recent showdown against the Rossoneri. It should be highlighted, when the two sides last met back on March 4th, Italiano’s men picked up a 2-1 victory at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.

Team News

Dealing with a long-term knee injury and not making a single Serie A appearance so far this season, Fiorentina will once again be without midfielder Gaetano Castrovilli on Saturday night. However, the Viola are hopeful that 22-year-old striker Lucas Beltran will be able to return from a knock.

While M’Bala Nzola might have notched just a single strike in his previous seven appearances across all competitions, the former Spezia striker should spearhead Fiorentina’s charge at the San Siro this weekend.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last met back on March 4th, Fiorentina picked up a 2-1 victory at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.
• AC Milan have recorded just a single win from any of their previous six appearances across all formats.
• Likewise, the former Serie A champions have failed to muster a single clean sheet on that six-match winless blip.
• Fiorentina have lost just a trio of their previous 13 appearances across all fronts – a run that stems all the way back to September 3rd.
• Four of the last five meetings between Saturday’s opponents have finished with both teams finding the net.

Conclusion

While AC Milan might mark their return from November’s international break in search of a crucial boost, Saturday’s hosts could be bracing themselves for a tricky test here. With Fiorentina losing just three of their previous 13 appearances across all formats, the Viola will also be excited by their most recent meeting against the Italian heavyweights. Landing a 2-1 victory when they welcomed AC Milan to the Stadio Artemio Franchi back on March 4th, some in Italiano’s camp could be smelling the chance to spring an upset. It should be noted, with seven of their last eight meetings finish with over 1.5 goals, we are expecting a similar outcome.

Verdict: Over 1.5 goals

Best Odds: 2/5

Bookmaker: Luckster