Verdict: AC Milan win
Best Odds: 4/11
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Looking to take another giant leap towards booking a lucrative Champions League return, AC Milan will welcome Parma to the San Siro on Sunday evening.
AC Milan
Starting with the hosts, while AC Milan might have a monumental challenge on their hands in the race to claim an historic 20th Serie A crown this season, Max Allegri’s side have rightfully received a string of plaudits from across the globe. Opening this weekend’s fixtures sat in silver medal position and appearing to cruise their way to a lucrative Champions League return, the former Juventus boss has seen his squad suffer just a single defeat from any of their 25 Serie A appearances so far this season. Likewise, despite eventually being forced to settle for a 1-1 stalemate at home against Como earlier in the week, AC Milan have registered 25 points from their 12 top-flight showdowns at the San Siro so far this season.
AC Milan Team News
Not featuring since the end of October and still dealing with a long-term ankle issue, AC Milan will once again be unable to call upon Mexican striker Santiago Gimenez. However, serving a one-match suspension against Como last weekend, French international Adrien Rabiot will return to Allegri’s squad.
Finding the net against Como in midweek and drawing a line under his five-match run without a goal, attacking ace Rafael Leao will keep his spot leading the line. Making an immediate impact since arriving from Real Madrid last summer, 40-year-old Luka Modric will start in the middle of the park.
Parma
As for the visitors, while Parma might have opened the New Year facing a real battle in the race to maintain their Serie A status, the Crusaders have certainly claimed an essential boost over the past fortnight. Last seen securing a 2-1 victory at home against Verona, Carlos Cuesta’s side have recorded consecutive wins for the first time this season. Skyrocketing away from the drop zone, Sunday’s guests have also suffered just a single Serie A defeat on their travels since the start of December. However, pencilled in as a major underdog contender when they travel to the San Siro this weekend, Parma should also be worried by a downbeat record in Milan. In fact, Cuesta’s side have registered just one-point from their previous five trips to the San Siro.
Parma Team News
Shown a costly first-half booking against Verona last week, Australian international Alessandro Circati will miss out through suspension on Sunday evening. However, serving his own respective one-match ban last time out, Argentinian youngster Mariano Trolio will return to Cuesta’s travelling squad.
Bagging a third Serie A strike of the season last week and enjoying what has been an eye-catching campaign in Emilia-Romagna, former Manchester City youngster Adrian Bernabe Garcia will start in the middle of the park and partner Mandela Keita.
AC Milan vs Parma Key Factors to Consider
- When AC Milan welcomed Parma to the San Siro last season, Sunday’s hosts claimed an action-packed 3-2 win.
- Allegri’s side have recorded 13 points from their previous five showdowns against Parma at the San Siro.
- AC Milan have remarkably suffered just a single defeat from any of their 25 Serie A appearances this season.
- Parma have recorded consecutive Serie A victories for the first time this season.
- Sunday’s guests have suffered just a single domestic defeat on their travels since the start of December.
Conclusion
Embarking on what has been an astonishing run of form and suffering just a single Serie A defeat so far this season, it is no surprise that Sunday’s hosts are pencilled in as a landslide contender here. Securing an action-packed 3-2 victory when they welcomed Parma to the San Siro last season, they do hold a dominant record against the Crusaders. Looking to take another leap towards booking a lucrative Champions League return, AC Milan should be looking to make a real statement here.
Verdict: AC Milan win
Best Odds: 4/11
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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