Ace Football previews the Serie A match between AC Milan and Atalanta, and offers the latest betting tips, odds, and team news.
Atalanta take the short trip to San Siro on Saturday evening to face Serie A table-toppers and Lombardy neighbors AC Milan.
10 points lie between the two sides ahead of what promises to be an exciting encounter. Milan, as mentioned previously, sit top of the Italian league standings on 43 points from 18 games, with fifth-placed Atalanta on 33 points from as many fixtures.
The last meeting between these clubs ended in a 1-1 draw at San Siro last July. Hakan Calhanoglu’s opening goal was cancelled out by a Duvan Zapata equalizer before half-time to ensure a share of the spoils. It was their fifth stalemate in 12 league matches, with Atalanta winning on five occasions compared to Milan’s two.
AC Milan Form & Stats
Zlatan Ibrahimovic typically stole the show last Monday to steer a 10-man AC Milan to a 2-0 victory over Cagliari. The Swede grabbed both goals in only his second start back from injury, taking his tally up to 12 goals in only eight appearances. He is just three goals adrift of Cristiano Ronaldo’s league-best of 15 goals in the Capocannoniere race.
The result in Cagliari maintained Milan’s three-point lead over city rivals Inter at the top of the Serie A table. They’ve won five of their last six league games (L1), securing consecutive 2-0 victories in their last two outings.
Stefano Pioli, meanwhile, is expected to welcome some key players back in Theo Hernandez, Ante Rebic, Rade Krunic, and Rafael Leao. The latter returns from suspension, while the other three have overcome positive COVID-19 tests. The Rossoneri boss has also made two key January signings in Mario Mandzukic and Fikayo Tomori.
Key Team Stats
- Won 5 of their last 6 league games (L1).
- Undefeated in 29 of their last 30 league games (W22 D7).
- Ahead at half-time and full-time in 5 of their last 6 league games.
- Scored at least 2 goals in their last 20 league games.
- Under 2.5 goals in 5 of their last 6 home games against Atalanta in all competitions.
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic has scored 12 goals in 8 league games.
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic has scored the first goal in 6 of his 8 league appearances.
Atalanta Form & Stats
The free-scoring Atalanta have hit a bit of a rough patch lately, having scored just once in their last two outings. The back-to-back draws with Serie A strugglers Genoa and Udinese cost them a chance to enter the top-four.
La Dea haven’t been all that convincing on the road either, having drawn four times in their last five away league games (W1). That said, they’ve lost just once away from home all season in a 4-1 defeat to Napoli in mid-October.
Gian Piero Gasperini’s side, who are on a 12-match unbeaten run (W7 D5) in all competitions, have also won five of their last 12 league encounters with Milan and lost just twice (D5). With Napoli, Roma, and Juventus all close for company, Atalanta will be determined to keep their sound record against their Lombardy neighbors going.
Key Team Stats
- Drawn their last 2 league games.
- Drawn 4 of their last 5 away league games (W1).
- Unbeaten in their last 6 away league games against AC Milan (W2 D4).
- Unbeaten in their last 12 games (W7 D5) in all competitions.
- Failed to score just once in their 8 away league games.
- Kept just 1 clean sheet in their 8 away league games.
- Josip Ilicic has made 8 goal contributions in his last 7 league games (2 goals, 6 assists).
Team News
AC Milan
Out: Ismael Bennacer, Matteo Gabbia, Alessio Romagnoli, Alexis Saelemaekers, Hakan Calhanoglu.
Doubts: N/A.
Atalanta
Out: Mario Pasalic.
Doubts: N/A.
Predicted Line-up
(Note: The image will change to the official XI once they’re both announced)
Top Goalscorers in Serie A
Head-To-Head Record
Below are some head-to-head stats on each team’s recent form in Serie A.
Match Facts
Betting Tips
More Odds
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