Milan vs Man Utd – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Milan host Man Utd at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on Thursday night with all to play for in the Europa League round of 16. The first leg at Old Trafford saw a 1-1 draw after headed goals from Amad Diallo and Simon Kjaer, deep into additional time. United will be hoping to continue their 12 match unbeaten run on their travels and to progress to the quarter finals.

Milan Form

The Rossoneri looked like genuine title challengers after 15 Serie A Matches (11 wins, four draws) but have since had a serious drop off in results and performances. Their weekend defeat, 1-0 at home to Napoli, means they are nine points off Inter Milan now and seem to have lost their shot at the title. They have lost three of their last six league matches.

Milan’s away form is the best in Serie A but they have only the 7th best home record with four defeats in their 14 matches. Their last seven matches at home in all competitions have yielded just a single victory with three defeats.

Milan Team News

Stefano Pioli has a variety of question marks for this match. Alessio Romagnoli and Davide Calabria missed the Napoli match in defence. Romagnoli missed the first leg and Calabria went off injured late in that match. Diego Dalot could play at right back if the latter misses out as Theo Hernandez is fit again on the left. Kjaer would partner Fikayo Tomori at centre back.

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Ante Rebic and Hakan Calhanoglu both returned in attacking midfield areas for the weekend’s match and should start whilst Mario Mandzukic could be fit enough for the bench. Zlatan Ibrahimovic has a groin problem and is touch and go to make the squad.

Milan Motivation

The Serie A title is a long shot now for Milan so 100% focus can go on this competition. Pioli gave his returning players minutes this weekend and all should be able to start whereas the first leg saw no risks taken.

Milan know that a 0-0 draw is enough to go through so all likely to play to stifle Man Utd and nick a goal. They are good at that gameplan on the road and could approach this second leg as if they are playing on their travels.

Man Utd Form

Man Utd are 13 matches unbeaten in all competitions. On their travels, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are 12 away matches without defeat in all competitions since losing 3-2 at RB Leipzig in December.

That 13 match run without losing has seen eight draws in ninety minutes (one win in extra time in the FA Cup) so the team had been struggling to win matches. A 2-0 win away at Man City and 1-0 home victory against West Ham this weekend means consecutive Premier League three-point hauls.

The only goal conceded by Man Utd in their last six matches with the 92nd minute equaliser by Milan in the first leg.

Man Utd Team News

Man Utd are without Juan Mata for this match and have four players who are touch and go to feature. In goal, David De Gea is back and could start due to this being a crucial match or Dean Henderson, who has performed well, could be given another outing.

There are no issues to deal with at the back so the defence picks itself unless Eric Bailly is handed a start in place of Victor Lindelof. Paul Pogba could return to the bench if he is fit in time but otherwise only Nemanja Matic is an option to freshen the side during this demanding period.

The biggest issues are up front where Edinson Cavani and Anthony Martial are doubts. Should they both miss out on starting, then Dan James would continue on the right and Mason Greenwood up front. Amad Diallo, Cavani and Martial would be good bench options but if the latter duo don’t recover then United are very short.

Solskjaer said: “Injury-wise I hope we have four or five players back for that game , very likely Edinson and Anthony are fit, Paul might make the trip and David De Gea is back from isolation.”

Man Utd Motivation

United’s recent victories in the league has seen their buffer to 5th spot increase to 11 points but they still sit 14 points off Man City in 2nd place. Basically, they can’t really win the league and also aren’t at risk of falling out of the Champions League places.

Solskjaer can put his full attention on this match and is not likely to be distracted by the FA Cup game against Leicester on Sunday. With potential few impact sub options, United have to play cautiously and make sure they score first as they are not equipped to chase the game without real power on the bench. That could change if Cavani is able to feature for the final 20 minutes and if Martial also travels.

Key Stats

Man Utd have drawn 7 of their last 13 matches in 90 minutes

United have drawn 5 of their last 9 PL matches

Man Utd have kept 5 clean sheets in their last 6 matches

Milan have lost 3 of their last 6 Serie A matches

Milan have won 1 of their last 7 home matches

Milan have seen under 2.5 goals in their last 3 matches

Prediction

Man Utd are very strong on the road and Milan are not nearly as good on their own ground. With the injury boosts that Solskjaer is hoping to receive and the injury doubts for Milan, a narrow away win could be a good bet or a goalless draw.