Prediction: SPAL vs Milan

Verdict: AC Milan win.

Best odds: 1/2

Bookmaker: William Hill

SPAL welcome AC Milan to their Stadio Paolo Mazza in Ferrara on the last matchday of the 2018/19 Serie A season.

S.P.A.L.

The home side have nothing but pride and a hope of a good performance in front of their fans against one of the biggest clubs in the world to play for. Sitting 11th with 42 points to their name, another three, or one, or none, would mean absolutely nothing. They are quite safe from relegation, while the European places are far out of their reach ahead of the last round of the season.

Team News

There are two players in their squad that need assessing ahead of the game due to injury – defender Felipe and midfielder Simone Missiroli, and it’s not very likely that boss Leonardo Semplici will want to risk them with little to play for.

AC Milan

Milan are in a very different situation. They’ve been trying to get back to the paths of old glory for a long time, but haven’t been quite able to do so with Juventus dominating the league for so long and Napoli rising above them too. Their city rivals Inter Milan are also there to make their life harder. AS Roma aren’t giving up either, and Atalanta have been the surprise of the season.

Their main goal for this campaign was, and still remains, to get back to playing Champions League football next term. At the moment, it’s not looking good. They sit in fifth place with 65 points, one less than Inter in fourth and Atalanta in third, so they still have everything to play for. However, they now depend on at least one of those two rivals to misfire against Empoli and Sassuolo, respectively, both at home. Slim hope, but they have to hang on to it.

Team News

Head coach Gennaro Gattuso will be without the services of defenders Mattia Caldara and Davide Calabria, and midfielder Giacomo Bonaventura, all through injury, while forward Lucas Paqueta is suspended.

Conclusion

Despite their list of absentees being longer and playing away from home, Milan really should be winning this. They must win it if they are to hope of Champions League qualification.

Verdict: AC Milan win.

Best odds: 1/2

Bookmaker: William Hill