AC Milan vs Atalanta Preview:
Possible starting lineups:
AC Milan:
Donnarumma; Calabria, Kjaer, Kalulu, Hernandez; Kessie, Tonali; Castillejo, Diaz, Leao; Ibrahimovic
Atalanta:
Gollini; Toloi, Romero, Djimsiti; Hateboer, De Roon, Freuler, Gosens; Pessina, Ilicic; Zapata
Serie A leaders AC Milan host the Champions League participants Atalanta at empty San Siro. This is the derby of the 19th round. As I already wrote, Milan are on the first place on the table. The Rossoneri have 43 points and they are three points clear of second-placed Inter. A point from this match will guarantee the top of the table at the half of the season. However, if they finish leveled on points, the goal difference will decide the Winter champions and the Nerazzurri are better in that segment. I am sure Stefano Pioli's men will enter the game fully motivated. The actual form is good, they have five victories on the last six matches in Serie A. Milan managed to beat Sassuolo, Lazio, Benevento, Torino and Cagliari, while lost from Juventus. The atmosphere in the squad is excellent, while the players confidence is high. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is the key men in the team. He scored both goals in last round's 2:0 win at Cagliari. The Swedish international is now just two goals away from reaching 500 goals in club football. But Pioli has some injury and suspension worries ahead of this match. Hakan Calhanoglu have been tested positive for COVID-19 and must spend the next two weeks in quarantine. Ismael Bennacer is sidelined with a thigh injury, while Alessio Romagnoli is suspended. On the positive note, Rade Krunic and Ante Rebic have returned from quarantine, while Theo Hernandez's previous positive test has since been declared a 'false positive'. New acquisitions Mario Mandzukic and Soualiho Meite will probably start on the bench.
Atalanta are the most pleasant surprise in the last few seasons. And not only in Italy, but also in Europe. They were quarter-finalists in the Champions League last season, while successfully continued this season and secured knock-out stage again. La Dea were in tough group that also contained Liverpool, Ajax and Midtjylland. Gian Piero Gasperini's men finished second, ahead of the former European Champions Ajax Amsterdam. Atalanta were unlucky to face the 13-time European champions Real Madrid in Round of 16. But who knows, Atalanta players showed they are not afraid of big names. Nevertheless, Gasperini must stay focused on domestic league at the moment. Atalanta are outside Top 4 and positive result here is very important. The actual form could be evaluated as very good, they are unbeaten on the last nine matches. The Nerazzurri won five of them, while the remaining four ended with draw. Atalanta managed to beat Fiorentina, Roma, Sassuolo, Parma and Benevento, while shared the points with Juventus, Bologna, Genoa and Udinese. The atmosphere in the squad is excellent and they make the short trip to Milan expecting the continuation of the successful series. Knowing they stayed unbeaten in their last six away league games versus AC Milan, their optimism have a solid base. Mister Gasperini has an almost fully fit squad to choose from, only midfielder Mario Pasalic is sidelined through injury. According to the latest news, Papu Gomez has been linked with a move to La Liga side Sevilla. The Argentine should join Sevilla on a loan with a compulsory purchase option in June believed to be between €8m and €10m. Both parties are said to be optimistic a deal can be reached.
AC Milan vs Atalanta Prediction:
The Bookies are expecting an efficient match at San Siro. However, both teams are in different mood. Milan won 2:0 against both Torino and Cagliari. Even more, two of these four goals came from the penalty spot. Atalanta are well known as high scoring outfit, but the last results are opposite - they played 0:0 with Genoa and 1:1 with Udinese. I think nobody will risk too much in the derby, so this could be a low scoring match. The absence of the fans is also a reason for my pick.
AC Milan vs Atalanta Pick: Under 3.5 goals @ 1.57 with Unibet