AC Milan continued their unbeaten record in Serie A into the New Year courtesy of a comfortable 2-0 win away at Benevento on Sunday. A penalty from Kessie in the 15th-minute was followed up by the sending-off of Milan midfielder Tonali shortly after the half-hour mark, who will now miss the next three games.
However, an early second-half strike from Leao made certain of the points for Pioli’s men.
Juventus sit 5th in the Serie A table following their 4-1 home win over Udinese at the weekend. Ronaldo opened the scoring in the 31st-minute and the hosts lead 1-0 at the interval. Church made it 2-0 early in the second forty-five and Ronaldo netted his brace in the 70th-minute.
Udinese pulled a goal back in the final minute, but Juventus had the last laugh, as Dybala scored a fourth for the hosts deep into stoppage time.
Games between these two clubs have tended to be very close and competitive in recent seasons, but AC Milan are unbeaten in their last three encounters with Juventus.
Two of those three meetings have ended in stalemates, but Milan did win the pair’s last match 4-2 in July. Before that win, a maximum of 1-goal had separated the two clubs in their last five head-to-heads in all competitions.
Both teams have scored in four of AC Milan’s and three of Juventus’ last five league games, so there is a good chance we won’t see a single clean sheet on Wednesday night.
Over 2.5 goals have been produced in four of AC Milan’s and five of Juventus’ last six matches in all competitions, and more goals are expected on Wednesday.
Milan obvious haven’t lost at home this season and remain the only team yet to taste defeat in Serie A this season, while Juventus are unbeaten on the road and should prove a tough nut for the hosts to crack this week.
Tonali is suspended for the home side, as mentioned above, but full-back Hernandez returns from a one-match suspension.
Ibrahimovic is expected back soon, but the Juventus game is expected to have come too soon for the Swedish striker. Morata is the only real injury concern for Juventus ahead of the trip to the capital.
The obvious prediction for Wednesday’s big game in Serie A this week is a draw, as the hosts are unbeaten in the league this season and Juventus are yet to lose a game on their travels.
Both teams have been involved in high-scoring games of late and there has been a lack of clean sheets on offer during that period, so both teams to score and over 2.5 goals looks a sensible bet.