Prediction: AC Milan to win 2-1
Best Odds: 13/2
AC Milan and Slavia Prague will lock horns with each other in the UEFA Europa League this week. The first leg of the UEFA Europa League Round of 16 tie between the Serie A club and the Czech First League team will be held at San Siro and is scheduled to kick off at 8 pm UK time on Thursday.
AC Milan
AC Milan are one of the biggest and most historic clubs in the world. They are used to challenging for the Serie A title and playing in major competitions such as the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League. The Italian giants will be disappointed by how the current season has panned out for them.
Milan are third in the Serie A table at the moment with 56 points from 27 matches. Stefano Pioli’s side are a point behind second-placed Juventus and are 16 points behind leaders Inter Milan. Milan are not going to win the Serie A title this season.
The Rossoneri finished third in UEFA Champions League Group F at the moment. They ended up with eight points from six matches, level on points with second-placed Paris Saint-Germain and three points behind leaders Borussia Dortmund. Milan will now fancy their chances of going all way in the UEFA Europa League.
Team News:
AC Milan are likely to start in a 4-2-3-1 formation against Slavia Prague at San Siro. Maignan will in goal for the Italian club and will have Florenzi, Kjaer, Gabbia and Theo ahead of him in defence. Reijnders and Adli will be two holding midfielders. Pulisic, Loftus-Cheek and Leao will be deployed in attacking midfield, with Giroud leading the line.
Slavia Prague
Slavia Prague are one of the biggest and most successful clubs in the Czech Republic. They are a hugely historic club who have played in major European competitions such as the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League. They ended up second in the Czech First League table last season.
Jindřich Trpišovský’s side finished second in UEFA Europa League Group C with 10 points from six matches. They ended up a point above Real Betis in third and finished a point behind group winners Rangers.
Slavia Prague are second in the Czech First League table at the moment with 56 points from 23 matches, four points behind leaders and bitter rivals Sparta Prague.
Team News:
Midfielders Christos Zafeiris and Petr Ševčík are missing for Slavia Prague, who are likely to line up in a 5-4-1 formation. Stanek will be in goal for the visitors from the Czech Republic. Doudera, Holes, Zima, Vlcek and Boril will be ahead of him in defence. Jurecka, Masopust, Dorley and Schranz will be the four midfielders. Chytil will lead the line for Slavia.
Key Factors to Consider
- AC Milan have won 3 of their last 6 matches in all competitions.
- Slavia Prague have won their last 3 UEFA Europa League games.
- Slavia Prague have won 3 of their last 6 matches in all competitions.
- Olivier Giroud has scored 13 goals and given 9 assists in 31 games in all competitions for AC Milan this season.
- Christian Pulisic has scored 8 goals and given 6 assists in 33 games in all competitions for AC Milan this season.
Conclusion
Although Slavia Prague will not be easy pushovers and have a good team, AC Milan are at home for the first leg and have a better side. It is hard to see anything other than a win for the Rossoneri.
Prediction: AC Milan to win 2-1
Best Odds: 13/2
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
