Verdict: AC Milan win
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Luckster
Turning their attention back to Serie A action on Saturday evening, AC Milan will travel to a struggling Empoli.
Empoli
Starting with the hosts, while Empoli might have eventually clung to their Serie A status last season, the Azzurri have another major battle on their hands here. Last seen putting in another worrying display as they fell to a 4-1 drumming away at Italian giants Juventus, Roberto D’Aversa’s side will be bracing themselves for another heavyweight challenge this weekend. Getting Saturday’s showdown underway holding just a one-point buffer from slipping into the relegation zone, Empoli have collected just a single point from any of their previous four Serie A appearances. Likewise, Saturday’s hosts have put just a sole top-flight victory on the board from any of their last 13 consecutive Serie A battles – a rut that stems all the way back to November 4th.
Empoli Team News
Shown a second-half red card away at Juventus last week, Moroccan international Youssef Maleh will serve a one-match suspension on Saturday evening. However, after serving their own respective Serie A bans in Turin, the duo of Alberto Grassi and Guiseppe Pezzella will return to Empoli’s squad here.
Not making a single appearance since returning from November’s international break, former Palermo youngster Nicolas Haas remains on the sidelines. Returning from a long-term injury issue last month, ex-Fiorentina midfielder Szymon Zurkowski will be looking to get some more minutes under his belt.
AC Milan
As for the visitors, extending on their Coppa Italia adventure earlier in the week as they secured a thumping 3-1 victory against historic fellow Italian giants Roma, AC Milan will be desperately seeking a repeat performance here. Despite being left frustrated on January 29th as they signed off their Champions League group stage adventure with a 2-1 loss against Dinamo Zagreb, the Rossoneri booked a play-off ticket. Crowned Super Cup champions last month following a famous 3-2 win against arch-rivals Inter Milan, Sergio Conceicao has enjoyed an impressive start to life at the San Siro. Simply looking to make up some ground in the European chase on Saturday night, the former Porto boss should be smelling a golden opportunity here.
AC Milan Team News
Hit with another injury setback last month and still dealing with a thigh issue, England international Ruben Loftus-Cheek will not feature on Saturday evening. Despite eventually staying put at the San Siro following the January transfer window, former Tottenham defender Emerson Royal is not expected to play any part.
Coming off the bench and finding the net on his Rossoneri debut against Roma in midweek, Chelsea loanee Joao Felix will be hoping to make a maiden Serie A start. Likewise, notching a sensational Coppa Italia brace against his parent club on Wednesday night, Roma loanee Tammy Abraham will be hoping to keep his spot from the start here.
Empoli vs AC Milan Key Factors to Consider
- When Empoli and AC Milan met for their reverse Serie A showdown on November 30th, the Rossoneri collected a thumping 3-0 win at the San Siro.
- AC Milan have won each of their previous three meetings against Saturday’s hosts by an aggregate score of 7-0.
- The Rossoneri are unbeaten in each of their previous nine meetings against Empoli (seven wins, two draws).
- The Azzurri have recorded have put just a sole top-flight victory on the board from any of their last 13 consecutive Serie A battles
- AC Milan have suffered just a single domestic defeat across any competition since back on December 6th.
Conclusion
Extending on their Coppa Italia adventure on Wednesday night as they claimed a stellar 3-1 victory against Roma, AC Milan will be seeking a repeat performance here. Continuing to impress since Conceicao’s arrival at the San Siro, Saturday’s guests should be smelling a golden opportunity this weekend. Storming their way to a 3-0 romp when they met Empoli for their reverse Serie A showdown on November 30th, AC Milan hold a dominant record against the Azzurri. Unbeaten in all of their last nine consecutive meetings, we are backing an away win here.
Verdict: AC Milan win
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Luckster
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