AC Milan – Chelsea : Preview & Prediction
It is difficult to predict from here who will occupy the top two places in UEFA Champions League (UCL) Group E, with the four teams separated by just two points. AC Milan register four points after a perfect split of results in the group stage so far (G1, E1, P1), but a return to the San Siro where they are coming off a 2-0 Serie A (SA) win over Juventus at the weekend should instill some confidence that the Italian giants can avenge the previous week’s 3-0 UCL defeat at home to Chelsea.
That loss in London marked the fourth consecutive defeat against Premier League (PL) opponents for AC Milan, and after losing six of their last seven home games to English sides, it is hard to see that streak ending here. However, a record of five wins out of a possible six (P1) in all competitions at home this season may engender some confidence in the Rossoneri side, but with only two clean sheets in those games, AC Milan’s attack may need to be running at full throttle.
Like the home side, Chelsea managed a win at home over the weekend, beating Wolves 3-0 in the Premier League despite fielding an alternative side. New Chelsea manager Graham Potter will now look to those rested players to justify his decision on their return to ensure Chelsea can take another step towards their 18th UCL knockout stage appearance in their last 19 attempts.
Potter is still unbeaten as Chelsea manager (G3, E1) and would like to extend that run here, given that the Blues have lost just three of their last 23 European away games (G15, E5). However, one of those defeats came this season against Dinamo Zagreb (1-0), and while Chelsea have not lost consecutive matches on rival soil in the UCL since 2012, a win in their last 11 away games against Serie A opponents (E3, P7 ) hints that the record could be under threat at the San Siro.
Players to watch: Former Chelsea player Fikayo Tomori scored the decisive goal against Juventus at the weekend, but is better known for yellow cards in the current UCL season, having picked up two in his three appearances so far. However, Chelsea’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who was rested at the weekend, has yet to get off to an explosive start and his two goals this season happened to be the second goals scored in the match.
Key stat: AC Milan have won just one of their last 16 matches against Premier League opponents (E4, P11).
AC Milan – Chelsea : Betting Tips
AC Milan – Win Odds: 3.25
