The first of several matches to kick off on Sunday in the Italian Serie A is between AC Milan and Udinese at the San Siro. The hosts come into this game in 9th place in the table, 2 points behind 8th place Torino. Udinese begin the weekend in 12th place but just one point behind their opponents so a win could take them above AC Milan.
AC Milan secured their place in the quarter-final of the Coppa Italia in midweek by defeating SPAL 3-0 at home. It was their second win in succession having previously defeated Cagliari 2-0 away from home in Serie A last weekend. The victory over Cagliari ended a run of 3 league games without a win.
However, home form in Serie A has not been good of late and AC Milan have failed to win any of their last 4 home league matches. Following the defeat against Lazio on the 3rd of November, AC Milan have drawn 3 home Serie A games in a row against Napoli, Sassuolo and Sampdoria. Under 2.5 goals were scored in all 3 of those matches and AC Milan have seen under 2.5 goals in 4 of their last 5 games at the San Siro in Serie A.
AC Milan have kept 3 clean sheets in their last 5 home league matches but have failed to score more than a single goal themselves in each of the last 5, including blanks in their last 2 games.
Udinese suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat at the hands of Juventus in the Coppa Italia on Wednesday night. They went into the match at the Allianz Stadium as the underdogs but would have wanted to have put up a better fight. That result means their winning run has come to an end following 3 straight victories in Serie A.
Udinese have enjoyed an upturn in form in the league, recording successive victories over Cagliari and Sassuolo at home plus Lecce away. The victory over Lecce was their first away win in their last 4 attempts following 3 losses in a row against Sampdoria, Lazio and Juventus. Trends show Udinese have won only 4 of their last 25 away Serie A games.
Udinese have managed to score at least 1 goal in 5 of their last 6 away league matches but only once have they scored 2 or more goals.
Team news and AC Milan are definitely without Léo Duarte who is not expected back from injury until late March. They also have doubts over the fitness of Davide Calabria, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Hakan Calhanoglu, Lucas Biglia and Mateo Musacchio.
Udinese could be without Samir Santos due to a muscle injury but he is the only concern for the visitors.
Given the current League position of both teams, this should be a close game. Udinese have won their last 3 Serie A games but their overall away record is poor. AC Milan could win this game by a single goal, with under 2.5 goals being scored.