Verdict: AC Milan win & Both teams to score
Best Odds: 5/2
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Turning their attention back to Serie A action on Sunday lunchtime, AC Milan will welcome Verona to the San Siro.
AC Milan
Starting with the hosts, suffering Super Cup heartbreak over in the Middle East last week as they fell to a 2-0 loss against reigning Serie A champions Napoli, AC Milan will certainly be excited to make a return to the San Siro on Sunday lunchtime. Opening Christmas Day sat in silver medal position and just one-point adrift of dethroning arch-rivals Inter Milan, the Rossoneri have their sights set on mounting a genuine title charge in 2026. Signing off November with consecutive 1-0 victories against Lazio and Inter, Max Allegri’s men are unbeaten in all of their previous 14 consecutive Serie A appearances – a run that stems all the way back to the opening weekend. Cementing their spot as one of Europe’s ultimate surprise packages this season, AC Milan will be confident of making another title statement at the San Siro this weekend.
AC Milan Team News
Not featuring since the end of October and still dealing with an ankle injury, AC Milan will once again be without Mexican international Santiago Gimenez here. However, despite missing out over in Saudi Arabia last week, attacking talisman Rafael Leao will return to Allegri’s squad at the San Siro.
Returning from a recent muscle issue, former Monaco midfielder Youssouf Fofana should get some more minutes under his belt. Registering nine direct goal contributions in his 10 Serie A appearances this season (seven goals, two assists), Christian Pulisic will play a leading role in the final third.
Verona
As for the visitors, failing to win any of their first 13 Serie A appearances when opening up the 2025/26 campaign and getting December underway sat rock-bottom of the table, Verona were almost universally regarded as the standout relegation contender this season. However, piling more pressure onto Fiorentina last time out as they snatched a 2-1 victory in Tuscany, Paolo Zanetti’s side have suddenly bagged consecutive top-flight wins and they open Christmas Day sat within touching distance of finding a route out of the drop zone. Despite breathing life back into their charge for Serie A safety, Verona are pencilled in as a landslide underdog this weekend and they should be concerned by a nightmare record against the Rossoneri. Including a 1-0 loss when they last travelled to the San Siro back in February, they have lost all of their previous nine consecutive showdowns against AC Milan.
Verona Team News
Shown a costly first-half booking away at Fiorentina last week, Danish defender Martin Frese will miss out through suspension here. Featuring for Algeria at this month’s AFCON, summer recruit and former KV Mechelen star Rafik Belghali will not play any part over the next few weeks.
Yet to make a single appearance across any competition so far this season and still sidelined with a long-term knee issue, Slovakian youngster Tomas Suslov will once again miss out. Coming off the bench and bagging both goals in Tuscany last week, Hoffenheim loanee Gift Orban should be handed a full recall.
AC Milan vs Verona Key Factors to Consider
- When AC Milan and Verona last met at the San Siro back in February, the Rossoneri claimed a 1-0 victory.
- In fact, AC Milan have won all of their previous nine consecutive showdowns against Sunday’s guests.
- Allegri’s side are unbeaten in all of their previous 14 consecutive Serie A appearances – a run that stems all the way back to the opening weekend.
- Verona have failed to win any of their 17 historic trips to the San Siro across all competitions.
- USA international Christian Pulisic has registered nine direct goal contributions in his 10 Serie A appearances this season (seven goals, two assists).
Conclusion
While Verona might have certainly breathed life back into their charge for Serie A safety over the past few weeks, the Mastiffs will be more than aware that they face a heavyweight challenge here. With AC Milan opening up Christmas Day sat just one-point adrift of climbing to the top of the Serie A standings, Sunday’s hosts have embarked on a sensational top-flight flurry. Likewise, winning all of their previous nine consecutive showdowns against Verona, we are backing a similar outcome this weekend.
Verdict: AC Milan win & Both teams to score
Best Odds: 5/2
Bookmaker: Dachbet
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