After the shock at home defeat to modest opposition earlier this week, AC Milan host old rivals Juventus at San Siro in Serie A’s Sunday kickoff.
Team News
AC Milan
- Milan should have two of their regular midfielders available against Juventus as Sandro Tonali returns after serving a suspension and Ismael Bennacer is already back in Italy after reigning champions Algeria were eliminated from the AFCON.
- Tiemoue Bakayoko is still to partner Tonali from the start. But Rade Krunic drops out and alongside Bennacer is expected to feature from the bench.
- Meanwhile, defensive mainstays Fikayo Tomori and Simon Kjaer are again sidelined. But Alessio Romagnoli is set to return at the heart of the host’s back four.
Juventus
- Ante Rebic will be restricted to a substitute role with Zlatan Ibrahimovic leading the Rossoneri line.
- Approaching the end of an intense January for Juventus, the side will be able to count on almost a complete squad at San Siro.
- The only expected absentees will be Aaron Ramsey, Chiesa, and his Italy teammate Leonardo Bonucci who is out until next month with a muscular issue.
- Max Allegri will have versatile forward Federico Bernardeschi back at their disposal after he returned to full training following the Coppa Italia win over Sampdoria.
- The latter is a strong candidate and he could line up in support of Alvaro Morata, alongside Paulo Dybala.
Prediction Analysis
Following the 1-1 draw in September, Inter Milan and Juventus are in line to draw both meetings in a Serie A season for the first time since the 1991/92 season.
In fact, the two giants of Calcio have not drawn any of their last nine-game encounters at San Siro. But with both sides recently improving in the final third, a close-fought affair could have several twists and turns as it reaches its climax.
Our prediction is AC Milan 1-0 Juventus
Possible Lineup
AC Milan: Maignan, Florenzi, Kalulu, Romagnoli, Hernandez, Tonali, Bakayoko, Messias, Diaz, Leao, Ibrahimovic.
Juventus: Szczesny, Cuadrado, De Ligt, Chiellini, De Sciglio, Locatelli, Rabiot, McKennie, Dybala, Bernardeschi, Morata.