Prediction: Real Madrid vs AC Milan

Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves

Best Odds: 6/11

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

In what is a heavyweight pre-season showdown in the early hours of Thursday, Real Madrid vs AC Milan will meet in the United States.

Real Madrid

Starting with Real Madrid, making real history last season, Los Blancos only further underlined their status as Europe’s ultimate poster boys. Reclaiming their La Liga crown and also getting their hands on a 15th European crown thanks to a 2-0 victory against Borussia Dortmund at Wembley on June 1st, Carlo Ancelotti’s squad broke a string of records during the 2023/24 campaign. Suffering just a single La Liga defeat last season, the Spanish icons also opened their summer preparations with a routine performance last week. Claiming a 3-0 victory against Segunda outfit Albacete, Madrid will be excited to open their American adventure here. Landing an action-packed 3-2 win when they met AC Milan for a friendly showdowns last summer, Madrid will be seeking a repeat performance in midweek.

Team News

Both handed an extended break after featuring at this summer’s Copa America, the attacking duo of Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior will not feature here. Likewise, despite completing what was a sensational move to the Spanish capital this month, French superstar Kylian Mbappe has not travelled to the United States this summer.

However, officially arriving from Brazilian heavyweights Palmeiras, 18-year-old sensation Endrick looks set to make his Real Madrid debut in the early hours of Thursday. Returning from a long-term knee injury last month, ex-Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will get some minutes under his belt.

AC Milan

As for AC Milan, while the Rossoneri might have secured a silver medal finish among Italy’s elite last season, they certainly limped their way over the finishing line. Getting a new era underway this summer as they appointed ex-Lille boss Paulo Fonseca last month, the Italian giants have plenty of pressure on their shoulders this time around. Signing off the 2023/24 campaign with an action-packed 3-3 stalemate at home against Salernitana on May 25th, fans around the San Siro saw their squad remarkably record just a single victory from any of their final nine appearances across all competitions. Watching their Europa League adventure come to an end as they fell to a 3-1 aggregate defeat at the hands of historic rivals Roma, Milan drastically struggled to find any kind of defensive resolve throughout 2024.

Team News

Despite completing a move to Milan this summer after being crowned a European champions with Spain last month, Alvaro Morata has not travelled to the United States and will play no part here. Likewise, still linked with a potential move away from the San Siro, Mike Maignan has not been included in Fonseca’s travelling squad.

However, the former Chelsea duo of Christian Pulisic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek will feature in the early hours of Thursday. Impressing against Manchester City last weekend, Samuel Chukwueze will play a leading role.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Real Madrid and AC Milan met for a pre-season showdown last summer, Los Blancos collected a 3-2 victory.
• The Spanish heavyweights have lost just one of their previous nine showdowns against AC Milan across all competitions.
• Los Blancos suffered just a single defeat from any of their 38 La Liga appearances last season.
• AC Milan registered just a single victory from any of their final nine appearances across all formats last season.
• Continuing on from last season, the Rossoneri have seen all of their previous seven appearances finish with both teams finding the net.

Conclusion

With the two European giants playing out a five-goal thriller when they met for a pre-season showdown last summer, neutrals will be hoping for a similar affair here. While both camps might be without a host of their respective superstars on Thursday, chances could come thick and fast. It should be noted, with AC Milan seeing all of their previous seven fixtures continuing on from last season finish with both teams finding the net, we are expecting a similar outcome in midweek.

Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves

Best Odds: 6/11

Bookmaker: Olympusbet