Things have not gone according to plan for AC Milan this season and they have not had things all their own way in both Serie A and the UEFA Europa League.
On Thursday night they face a trip to Greece in the latter of the two competitions and know a defeat could see them drop to second place in Group D. With AC Milan struggling in Serie A and looking increasingly unlikely to qualify for the Champions League via their domestic competition, the Europa League could be the path they need to take to make a return to the top of European football. Manchester United did it last season, will AC Milan be the team to benefit this time around?
Champions League – Athens Olympic Stadium, Athens – Thursday 2nd November – 18:00 UK Time
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Draw Best Odd of: 21/10 at William Hill |
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AEK Athens
AC MilanAEK Athens Form
AEK Athens come into this match having lost only 2 of their last 16 games in all competitions. Both defeats have come in the Greek Super League and leave them just off the pace near the top of the table. In the Europa League, AEK Athens have played 3 games, winning 1 and drawing 2, picking up 5 points in the process. The victory came at Rijeka in the first round of matches in the group and that was followed by a 2-2 home draw with Austria Vienna. The previous match between AEK Athens and AC Milan finished 0-0 in the San Siro, which was an excellent result for the Greek team. However, AEK Athens have won only 2 of their last 9 home Europa League games, 5 of which have ended in defeat.
AC Milan Form
AC Milan cannot put any decent form together this season and they went down 2-0 at home to Juventus in Serie A on the weekend. Having spent the money to recruit players like Leonardo Bonucci, who was suspended for that game, AC Milan were expected to challenge the likes of Juventus this season. The Rossoneri have won only 1 of their last 6 matches in all competitions, which was a 4-1 win at Chievo Verona in Serie A. Their only other victory in their last 8 games came at home in the Europa League against Rijeka. AC Milan are undefeated in their last 16 Europa League games and have scored an average of 2.33 goals in away Europa League games this season.
Team News
Former Barcelona defender Dmytro Chygrynskiy will miss the match for AEK Athens due to injury and has been joined on the treatment table by captain Petros Mantalos, who suffered a serious knee injury on the weekend. AC Milan travel to the Greek capital without Lucas Biglia, Andrea Conti and Giacomo Bonaventura who are injured. Davide Calabria may be fit enough to return and Leonardo Bonucci should start having missed the match on the weekend due to suspension.
Top Betting Tips
If AEK Athens are to pick up anything from this match, they know their best bet is to try and frustrate AC Milan, much like they did in the reverse fixture. Under 2.5 goals is available at 7/10 with Ladbrokes. The loss of Dmytro Chygrynskiy and Petros Mantalos are big blows for the host and AC Milan will look to take advantage. If one team is to take maximum points it must be the visitors, who are 7/5 with Ladbrokes to win the match. AC Milan striker Andre Silva has 4 goals to his name in the Europa League this season, making him the second highest scorer in the competition. Silva is 7/4 to score at any time with Ladbrokes.