Prediction: AC Milan to win 2-1
Best Odds: 13/2
AC Milan and Rennes will lock horns with each other in the UEFA Europa League this week. The first leg of the playoff round tie between the Italian club and the French outfit will be held at San Siro in Milan and is scheduled to kick off at 8 pm UK time on Wednesday.
AC Milan
AC Milan are one of the biggest and most historic clubs in the world and will be determined to do well in the UEFA Europa League this season. The Rossoneri finished third in UEFA Champions League Group F this campaign and will now play in the UEFA Europa League playoff round tie against French club Rennes. It has been a disappointing campaign in Europe for Stefano Pioli’s side, who will be keen on sorting it out in the final weeks and months of the season.
Milan will head into the match against Rennes at San Siro on the back of a 1-0 win against Napoli at home in Serie A. It came after a 3-2 victory over Frosinone on the road in the league and followed a 2-2 draw with Bologna in front of their fans in Serie A.
Stefano Pioli’s side are third in the Serie A table at the moment with 52 points from 24 matches. Milan are a point behind second-placed Juventus and are eight points behind leaders and city rivals Inter Milan, who have played 23 games.
Team News:
AC Milan are likely to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Maignan will be in goal. Florenzi, Gabbia, Kjaer and Theo Hernandez will be the four defenders. Reijnders and Musah will be the two holding midfielders. Pulisic, Loftus-Cheek and Leao will be the three attacking midfielders. Giroud will lead the line for the Italian giants.
Rennes
Rennes are doing extremely well this season. They finished as high as fourth in the Ligue 1 table and will fancy their chances of doing the same time campaign as well. Julien Stephan’s side finished second in UEFA Europa League Group F with 12 points from six games, a point behind leaders Villarreal.
Rennes will head into the match against AC Milan at San Siro on Thursday evening on the back of a 1-0 victory over Le Havre away from home in Ligue 1. It came after a 6-1 victory over Sochaux away from home in the Coupe de France and followed a 2-1 win against Montpellier in front of their fans in the league.
Julien Stephan’s side are seventh in the Ligue 1 table at the moment with 31 points from 21 matches. Rennes are six points behind fourth-placed Brest. Just like last season, Les Rouge et Noirs could end up in the top four of the Ligue 1 table this time around.
Team News:
Rennes are likely to line up in a 4-4-2 formation. Mandanda will be in goal for the French club. G. Doue, Seidu, Theate and Truffert will be the four defenders and will have Bourigeaud, Matusiwa, Santamaria and D. Doue in midfield. Kalimuendo and Terrier will be the two centre-forwards.
Key Factors to Consider
- AC Milan have never played against Stade Rennais in their history.
- This will be Rennes’s fifth game against an Italian opponent in the UEFA Europa League, after two group-stage meetings with Udinese in the 2011-12 season and then with Lazio in the 2019-20 campaign.
- Olivier Giroud has been directly involved in 11 goals in 9 Europa League knockout stage appearances (7 goals, 4 assists).
- Olivier Giroud has scored 12 goals and given 9 assists in 27 matches in all competitions for AC Milan this season.
- Benjamin Bourigeaud has scored 6 goals and given 3 assists in 24 matches in all competitions for Rennes this season.
Conclusion
Playing at home will give AC Milan an advantage. The Rossoneri are the favourites in this tie and have the better team. It is very likely that the former Serie A and UEFA Champions League will win the first leg this week.
Prediction: AC Milan to win 2-1
Best Odds: 13/2
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