AC Milan snatched a late draw in Naples last time out despite being outplayed by the hosts, but Parma will equally feel confident themselves having stormed to a late comeback to deny Bologna victory.
Serie A 2019/2020
Date: Wednesday July 15th
Kick-off: 18:30
Venue: Stadio Giuseppe Meazza
AC Milan were staring what could have been a first defeat in their last seven competitive games in the face up until the 73rd minute mark when Frank Kessie scored from the spot to hand them a share of the spoils against Napoli last time out.
Though the 2-2 draw meant their two-game winning streak was halted, I Rossoneri are still in a good position for European football qualification as they sit seventh on the standings, with just two points separating them from Napoli and four behind fifth-placed Roma.
Manager Stefano Pioli will be pleased with his side’s performances of late, and the Italian has seemingly struck up the right formula for the San Siro outfit, a two-man midfield with a trio ofattacking figures to support his evergreen front man, Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Yet, the the two points they dropped in Naples has allowed eighth-placed Sassuolo to close the gap on them to just four points, so they will be wary as any sort of complacency at this crucial stage could see Sassuolo who are on a remarkable run of form usurp them.
Stuck in mid-table due to their recent inconsistency, it is safe to say Parma have long given up on the prospect of challenging for a place in Europe for next season after four consecutive defeats, and it would have been five if not for that staggering comeback against Bologna last time out.
Jasmin Kurtič and Roberto Inglese, the latter making his first appearance in months for the visitors got the late goals inside the final three minutes of added time as Roberto D’Aversa’s men arrested their disturbing slump in dramatic fashion.
There is little to suggest they are still playing for any tangible thing this campaign, with 11 points separating them from the drop zones, while they are as many as 12 adrift of the top six.
Team news
AC Milan
Alexis Saelemaekers is suspended following his sending off against Napoli.
Also, the trio of Samu Castillejo, Mateo Musacchio and Leo Duarte are all unavailable here due to injury.
Parma
Parma’s topscorer Andreas Cornelius is their only injury concern ahead of the trip to Milan.
Head to Head
In 51 competitive meetings between the two of these sides, Milan have a greater win percentage, triumphing on 27 occasions to Parma’s 11. 13 other classes have ended as draws.
Team form
AC Milan’s last five competitive games: WDWWD
Parma’s last five competitive games: LLLLD
Betting tips
Milan are hot favourites to cart home maximum points here, and will feel they dropped two last time out despite nearly losing. With the race for European football qualification getting even tougher with the passage of games, expect Pioli’s men to make the most of these type of games, so we will bank on them to ride to a comfortable victory for odds of 1/2.
This will be Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s 100th competitive appearance in a Milan jersey, so far scoring 62 goals and assisting 24. He will be expected to lead the Rossoneri attack yet, and you can bet he will be a thorn in the flesh for the opposition. Priced at 19/20 to score anytime, he is our man on the goalscorer market.
