Friday, December 27, 2024

Prediction: AC Milan vs Liverpool

Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves

Best Odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Getting their Champions League campaign underway on Tuesday night, Liverpool will travel to the San Siro when they meet Italian giants AC Milan.

AC Milan

Starting with the hosts, managing to make a crucial return to winning ways over the weekend as they stormed their way to a 4-0 romp against Venezia, AC Milan will be desperate to use that performance as a platform to build on. However, while some around the San Siro might have dreaming of the chance to mount a genuine Serie A title charge this season, the Italian heavyweights are seeking some much-needed stability. Getting proceedings underway with an action-packed 2-2 stalemate at home against Torino on August 17th, Paulo Fonseca’s side have shown some extended issues on either side of the summer interval. In fact, continuing on from last season, AC Milan have remarkably recorded just a pair of wins from any of their previous 13 competitive appearances across all competitions – a run that stems all the way back to April 6th.

Team News

All missing out against Venezia over the weekend and still dealing with respective injury issues, AC Milan will once again be without the trio of Ismael Bennacer, Alessandro Florenzi and German international Malick Thiaw on Tuesday night. Despite speculation over a summer move away from the San Siro, French shot-stopper Mike Maignan will start between the sticks here.

Finding the net in Milan on Saturday night and opening his AC Milan account, former Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham will be hoping to keep his spot spearhead Fonseca’s attack. Despite returning from a recent knock, summer recruit Alvaro Morata will likely settle for a spot on the bench in midweek.

Liverpool

As for the visitors, while Liverpool might have come flying out of the traps when opening up the new campaign, the Premier League giants certainly came crashing back down to earth over the weekend. Missing out on what they had billed as a golden opportunity as they fell to an infamous 1-0 loss at the hands of Nottingham Forest, new boss Arne Slot is calling on an immediate response here. Nevertheless, while the Reds might have seen their three-match winning start come to an abrupt end on Saturday afternoon, the former Feyenoord boss has seen his squad gain plenty of early plaudits. Excited to make their Champions League return on Tuesday night, Liverpool will also be excited by their most recent showdowns against the Rossoneri. Winning their two group stage battles during there 2021/22 campaign by an aggregate score of 5-3, Slot’s side will be looking to make a heavyweight statement at the San Siro.

Team News

Yet to be included in Slot’s matchday squad after completing a late summer move from Juventus, it remains to be seen if Italian international Federico Chiesa will be selected on Tuesday night. Likewise, set for a lengthy stint on the sidelines, 21-year-old Harvey Elliot will not travel to the San Siro in midweek.

Finding the net in his pruning three Premier League appearances this season, attacking talisman Mohamed Salah will play a leading role in Milan. Settling for a spot on the bench against Nottingham Forest over the weekend, Dutch star Cody Gakpo could be handed a full recall away from Anfield.

Key Factors to Consider

    • When AC Milan and Liverpool last met in Champions League action during the 2021/22 campaign, the Reds won their two group stage battles by an aggregate score of 5-3.
    • Milan’s 4-0 victory against Venezia over the weekend was just the second win that they have recorded from any of their previous 13 competitive appearances across all competitions.
    • Liverpool’s 1-0 loss at home against Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon brought an end to their 100% start.
    • Mohamed Salah has registered three Premier League goals in his opening four top-flight appearances.
    • AC Milan have recorded just a single competitive clean sheet at the San Siro since back on April 6th.

    Conclusion

    Watching their 100% start come to an abrupt end over the weekend, Liverpool will certainly be seeking an immediate response here. Excited to make a Champions League return on Tuesday night, Slot’s new squad should be excited by their most recent battles against the Rossoneri. Winning their two group stage showdowns during the 2021/22 campaign by an aggregate score of 5-3, we could be treated to another enjoyable showdown from the San Siro in midweek.

    Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves

    Best Odds: 4/6

    Bookmaker: Dachbet

    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    Tom Dunstan


    Formerly of The Independent, Tom has spent the past six years as one of our senior writers and betting experts. Alongside working with numerous publications from across the globe, Tom also graduated from the University of Falmouth in 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Digital Media.
    Spending almost the past decade working in countries such as Australia, New Zealand and Canada, he has also spent time featuring in sports radio. Tom can be followed on Instagram - @iamtomdunstan

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