AC Milan vs Fiorentina
With only two points from their last four Serie A games, AC Milan are in dire need of a shot in the arm to revive their 2023-24 campaign.
And they will have a busy week ahead, as they will first host Fiorentina this Saturday night before taking on Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday for their fifth Champions League group stage match this term.
The Rossoneri can consider themselves lucky that they’re still in third place in the Italian top-flight given their lacklustre stretch of Serie A 2023 results, but they might fall down in the pecking order soon if they don’t improve.
Meanwhile, Fiorentina are slowly climbing up to the top four as they ended their three-game losing streak last time out. They are currently in sixth place, but a victory here can see them go up to as high as third.
Talking Points
AC Milan are shorthanded in the final third
A key reason why AC Milan are struggling right now is because of the spate of injuries that they’re dealing with.
Rafael Leao just joined the Rossoneri’s growing list of absentees because he injured his thigh before the international break.
According to local reports, the 24-year-old striker is expected to miss at least three matches, which is not the type of news Stefano Pioli and co. want to hear since he’s a crucial cog in the final third, with totals of four goals and three assists this term.
There’s more selection headaches for Pioli, as Olivier Giroud is also not available to play on Saturday evening. The Frenchman will have to serve his two-game suspension following his outburst against Lecce, which resulted in a red card in his 100th appearance as a Rossoneri.
Giroud is the team’s leading scorer with eight goals and three assists, so his absence will certainly be felt.
With the two of them sidelined, others have to step up, and we’re particularly looking at the likes of summer signings Christian Pulisic, Samuel Chukwueze, and Luka Jovic to take on the challenge.
Pulisic is off to a bright start at Milan this season with four goals and two assists, but the same can’t be said for Chukwueze and Jovic, who have yet to make a meaningful impact since arriving at San Siro.
Fiorentina’s strike duo saves the day
During their three-game losing streak, Fiorentina haven’t scored a single goal, so it’s apt that their top scorers were the ones who put an end to their skid by regaining their shooting boots.
Nicolas Gonzalez and Giacomo Bonaventura scored the two goals in their 2-1 win against Bologna at Stadio Artemio Franchi before the international break, which gave Vincenzo Italiano and co. a huge sigh of relief.
With 13 goals and four assists combined, Gonzalez and Bonaventura will be called upon to continue to lead the line against a vulnerable AC Milan squad, and they will be joined by either M’Bala Nzola or Lucas Beltran up front.
History
Fiorentina have lost each of their last three Serie A away matches against AC Milan with an aggregate tally of 5-1. At this exact fixture last season, AC Milan won with a 2-1 scoreline, with five different players being booked (four yellows for Fiorentina and one for AC Milan).
AC Milan have already lost nine Serie A games in 2023, which is triple the number of losses they endured in 2022. If they lose to Fiorentina, the Rossoneri would reach double-digit defeats in a single calendar year in Serie A for the first time since 2021 (L10).
Stefano Pioli’s men have also lost each of their last two Serie A home matches, last having a three-game losing streak at home back in 2006.
Betting Tip
The SBOTOP Serie A 2023 odds like AC Milan’s chances of finally ending their winless run in the league this weekend. The Rossoneri are priced at 2.13 to win, while Fiorentina aren’t far behind at 3.15, and a draw is at 3.20 in the 1X2 market.
Both teams have capable scorers, so there should be enough goals to go around, hence our recommended bet. However, we don’t expect this fixture to be the scoring binge that it was before. The outcome of this game could go either way, but we are giving AC Milan the slight edge in this one. For alternative bets, you may want to take a look at Asian Handicap -0.75 at 2.44 or a Correct Score of 2-0 at 9.50, both in favour of the hosts.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT))
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
