Prediction: Real Madrid vs AC Milan

Verdict: Vinicius Junior to score anytime

Best Odds: 33/20

Bookmaker: Dachbet

In what is a heavyweight Champions League showdown on Tuesday night, Real Madrid will welcome AC Milan to the Spanish capital.

Real Madrid

Starting with the hosts, with their weekend trip to Valencia cancelled due to the ongoing crisis in Eastern Spain, Real Madrid will be hoping that the additional layoff has given them time to dust themselves down. Last seen on October 26th suffering an infamous El Clasico hammering as they slumped to a woeful 4-0 drumming at home against arch-rivals Barcelona, Carlo Ancelotti’s superstar squad are desperately seeking a much-needed European boost here. While Los Blancos might have mounted a sensational Champions League comeback last month as they secured an action-packed 5-2 win against German giants Borussia Dortmund, the one-time AC Milan boss is seeking some crucial defensive steel. Opening October with a shock 1-0 loss away at Lille, Tuesday’s hosts have registered just a single clean sheet from any of their previous nine appearances across all competitions.

Team News

Real Madrid have already confirmed that number one goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will not feature until after November’s international break. Likewise, both still dealing with respective long-term knee injuries, Los Blancos will also be unable to call upon the defensive duo of David Alaba and Dani Carvajal.

Recording seven goals across all competitions after completing a sensational move from PSG over the summer, French talisman Kylian Mbappe will spearhead Ancelotti’s charge. Suffering a major Ballon d’Or snub last week, Vinicius Junior will once again partner Mbappe in the final third.

AC Milan

As for the visitors, managing to make an immediate return to winning ways last weekend as they clinched a gritty 1-0 win away at Monza, AC Milan will be desperate to use that performance as a platform to build on. However, despite getting a new era underway over the summer as they appointed Paulo Fonseca, it is no secret that the former Lille boss has found some mounting pressure on his shoulders. Signing off October with a 2-0 loss at the hands of domestic rivals Napoli, the Rossoneri are desperately seeking some crucial stability. Heading into October’s international break with a 2-1 defeat away at Fiorentina, AC Milan have also shown their own extended defensive struggles. Although Fonseca’s side might be desperate to claim a heavyweight European scalp here, Tuesday’s guests should have a real challenge in the Spanish capital.

Team News

Undergoing calf surgery last month, AC Milan will once again be without the services of Algeria international Ismael Bennacer. Likewise, one-time Real Madrid misfit Luka Jovic remains a major doubt on Tuesday night and the 26-year-old is not expected to be part of Fonseca’s squad here.

Continuing on a real flurry this season and already registering five Serie A strikes, former Chelsea star Christian Pulisic will play a leading role in midweek. Arriving from Monaco over the summer, French international Youssouf Fofana will start at the heart of Milan’s midfield.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Real Madrid and AC Milan last met in Champions League action back in November 2010, Tuesday’s opponents played out a 2-2 stalemate at the San Siro.
• Real Madrid have recorded just a single clean sheet from any of their previous nine appearances across all competitions.
• Continuing on from last season, AC Milan have recorded just a single clean sheet away from the San Siro since the end of April.
• Including a Champions League hat-trick on October 22nd, Brazilian superstar Vinicius Junior has recorded five goals in his previous four appearances across all formats.
• Los Blancos’ last three matchups across all competitions have produced 14 goals at both ends of the pitch.

Conclusion

Last seen falling to that infamous 4-0 drumming at the hands of arch-rivals Barcelona, Real Madrid know the importance of claiming an immediate response here. Mounting that sensational European comeback against Borussia Dortmund on October 22nd as they clinched a thrilling 5-2 victory, we could be set for another action-packed affair on Tuesday night. Meeting an AC Milan squad who have shown their own respective defensive issues, Ancelotti’s side will be desperate to get one over on his former employers in midweek.

Verdict: Vinicius Junior to score anytime

Best Odds: 33/20

Bookmaker: Dachbet