UEFA Champions League - AC Milan VS Club Brugge Prediction
UEFA Champions League - AC Milan VS Club Brugge
Match Time: 23-10-2024 00:45 Wednesday (GMT+8)
Football Livescore | Match Prediction & Tips
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AC Milan
Paulo Fonseca rotated his squad for the hard-fought win against Udinese over the weekend, and further changes are likely as AC Milan prepare to face Club Brugge. French full-back Theo Hernandez, who missed the weekend’s game due to a suspension in Serie A, will be back in contention and should slot into his usual left-back position.
On the injury front, Ismael Bennacer remains sidelined due to an ankle issue, while Alessandro Florenzi is out with an ACL injury, and Davide Calabria is unavailable due to a calf problem. However, there is some hope that recent Italy call-up Matteo Gabbia will be fit enough to make the squad after struggling with a muscular injury.
Up front, Alvaro Morata and Tammy Abraham are competing for the starting striker spot, though Fonseca has occasionally played them together. In attack, Rafael Leao could be recalled to the starting XI, while Samuel Chukwueze, Noah Okafor, and Christian Pulisic – who has been one of Milan’s standout performers this season – are all in contention for a spot in the final third.
Milan are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Mike Maignan will take his place in goal, with Theo Hernandez returning to his left-back role. Emerson Royal is likely to start at right-back, with Fikayo Tomori and Strahinja Pavlovic forming the central defensive partnership.
In midfield, Youssouf Fofana and Tijjani Reijnders should hold the fort, while Christian Pulisic could start in the No.10 role, with Samuel Chukwueze on the right wing and Rafael Leao on the left. Alvaro Morata is set to lead the line upfront.
AC Milan possible starting lineup:
Maignan; Emerson, Tomori, Pavlovic, Hernandez; Fofana, Reijnders; Chukwueze, Pulisic, Leao; Morata
Club Brugge
Club Brugge have some injury concerns ahead of their clash with AC Milan. Denmark international Andreas Skov Olsen is doubtful for the game due to a calf injury, while Gustaf Nilsson is also a doubt, struggling with an Achilles tendon issue. Casper Nielsen is another question mark, as he continues to work on his fitness.
Dutch full-back Bjorn Meijer has recently returned to full training after a long layoff due to knee surgery but is not expected to feature in the match. As a result, Belgium international Maxim De Cuyper, who scored a spectacular goal against Italy in the UEFA Nations League, is set to start on the left side of defence. Veteran goalkeeper Simon Mignolet will retain his position between the posts.
Club Brugge are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Simon Mignolet will start in goal, with Joaquin Seys at right-back, Jorne Spileers and Brandon Mechele forming the central defensive pairing, and Maxim De Cuyper starting at left-back.
In midfield, Hugo Vetlesen and Raphael Onyedika will likely anchor the team, while Michal Skoras, Hans Vanaken, and Christos Tzolis will play in the advanced roles behind lone striker Ferran Jutgla, who will lead the line for Brugge.
Club Brugge possible starting lineup:
Mignolet; Seys, Spileers, Mechele, De Cuyper; Vetlesen, Onyedika; Skoras, Vanaken, Tzolis; Jutgla
AC Milan vs Club Brugge Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
*The two teams have crossed paths six times in all competitions, with all meetings taking place in UEFA competitions. They have contested these meetings closely, with Milan leading 3-2 in wins and just one game ending in a draw.
*Five of the six meetings between them have produced under 2.5 goals with both teams keeping three clean sheets.
*AC Milan have just one win in their last five home games in the Champions League, suffering three losses.
*Club Brugge have registered just one win in their last seven games in the Champions League, failing to score in five games in that period.
*Milan have suffered one loss in five home games across all competitions this season, recording three wins and keeping clean sheets in their wins
Prediction: AC Milan 2-1 Club Brugge
On home soil, hit-and-miss Milan are generally much tougher to beat, despite their obvious frailties. Mid-range opponents such as Club Brugge are usually dispatched, though there may not be too much between the sides after 90 minutes.
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