Europa League Group F leaders AC Milan host Spain’s Real Betis on matchday 3 of the competition. The Rossoneri are a perfect six points from six while Betis have taken four from their first two matches in the tournament. Both sides have played well in the Europa League thus far and will hope to push on towards last 32 qualification on Thursday night.
Milan head into the fixture having lost to archrivals Inter Milan at the weekend. The Rossoneri gave up a 92nd minute goal ending a two match Serie A winning streak. Until their loss, Milan had posted an eight-match unbeaten run.
Summer signing Gonzalo Higuain has tallied six goals with two coming in the Europa League. Patrick Cutrone, who could get the nod ahead of the Argentine against Betis, has tallied three strikes this term. Against Olympiacos on matchday 2, Cutrone scored twice to help Milan ease past their Greek opponents.
Betis manhandled F91 Dudelange on matchday 2 with a 3-0 win. It followed a nil-nil stalemate against Olympiacos. A win at the San Siro would enable Betis to leapfrog Milan and take sole possession of first place in Group F. Betis go into the fixture having lost their last two matches in La Liga. After starting strongly, they have hit a bump in the road. Both matches ended in 1-0 scorelines.
Betis may not be conceding mass amounts of goals, but they aren’t scoring them either. Betis have tallied just five goals in La Liga this term. Combined with the three scored in the Europa League, they have registered a mere eight strikes in 11 fixtures. Loren Moron leads Betis in goals with just two.
Injuries could play a big part in the match’s outcome. Although both sides are missing players, Betis will be the one affected the greatest. Cristian Tello, Andres Guardado, Joaquin, and Javi Garcia are all out of action. Manager Quique Setien will need to replace the four starters with back-ups on their trip to the San Siro. It is a hole in the team Betis will have difficulty filling. Milan are still without full-back Andrea Conti and Ivan Strinic.
Milan go into the fixture as favourites. The good news for Betis is they have won their last two matches against Milan. Problem is, those games were friendlies and they came 10 years apart. Milan’s healthy squad will see them edge Betis in a close affair. Betis will keep it tight, but Milan’s quality and fitness will prove decisive.