Prediction: Empoli vs AC Milan

Verdict: Both Teams to Score – Yes

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Bet365

Newly-promoted side Empoli will be keen to grab their first-ever league win over underperforming AC Milan, who are enduring their worst start to a Serie A campaign in four years. Sitting in 13^th place in the standings with a game in hand, Rossoneri will be keen to make a push up the table and record their second win in five attempts.

Empoli

Having won the Serie B in impressive fashion – with a 13-point advantage over runners-up Parma – Empoli joined the elite rank of the Italian football looking to make a statement and survive the cut in their first season back.

Five games into the 2018/19 season, however, Empoli are sitting in 17^th, level on points with Bologna who are within the relegation zone. Empoli enjoyed a solid start to the season, kicking it off with a 2-0 win over Cagliari but it’s been a downhill ride ever since as Empoli lost three and drew one to amass 4 points in total. Aurelio Andreazzoli’s men will look to find strength and confidence in the fact their last meeting with AC Milan resulted in three points – thanks to a 2-1 away win back in April 2017 – but getting their first-ever triumph over the Italian giants will be easier said than done, especially knowing that hosts will have huge selection worries ahead of the midweek fixture.

Team News

Afriyie Acquah is set to miss the Thursday match due to an injury to his left biceps femoris muscle. Miha Zajc is suspended while Levan Mchedlidze is a doubt.

The likes of Lorenzo Polvani, Manuel Pasqual and Luca Antonelli are also ruled out, whereas the key striker Alejandro Rodriguez is suffering from a cruciate ligament rupture.

AC Milan

Only five points out of four Serie A matches make for the worst league start in last four years for Rossoneri. Even though they have a game in hand, Gennaro Gattuso’s men have been largely underperforming thus far in the season.

They kicked it off with a 3-2 defeat against Napoli, went on to beat AS Roma 2-1 at the end of August but then dropped points where they were supposed to get them with ease – against Cagliari and Atalanta last time out. Gattuso’s men dropped a lead twice in the game and were forced to settle for a 2-2 home draw which paints a perfect picture of their campaign thus far – and of life under Rino Gattuso if you wish. Rossoneri’s investments from last summer are still not paying dividends as Gattuso’s charges suffer from inconsistency and lack of winning mentality. Three points over Empoli are a must for AC Milan who are well off the pace in their Champions League spots race.

Team News

Ricardo Montolivo and Andrea Conti are both injured and won’t be able to help against Empoli.

Ivan Strinic’s heart problems are well-documented whereas Mattia Caldara is a selection doubt due to his back problem.

Key Factors to Consider

• Empoli have yet to record a home league win over AC Milan
• Rossoneri are enduring their worst Serie A start since 2013/14
• Hosts could be without up to seven first-team players for the upcoming match
• Both teams scored in last 7 meetings of the two sides
• Over 2.5 goals were scored in six of last seven encounters between Empoli and AC Milan

Conclusion

Newly-promoted Serie A side Empoli have a big task to accomplish as they look to make history against AC Milan on Thursday. Gennaro Gattuso’s men are suffering from lack of consistency and have showed two faces in all of their matches thus far in the season. Backing them for a win is a risk but goals are a much shrewder choice at the same price.

Verdict: Both Teams to Score – Yes

Best Odds: 7/10

Bookmaker: Bet365