After losing their place at the top of the Serie A table following their surprise home defeat to Fiorentina on Saturday, AC Milan (6/5 Serie A outright) have the perfect chance to get back on track when they travel to Verona to face Chievo on Tuesday evening.
The Rossoneri have led the league for most of the season, but injuries and suspensions appear to be taking their toll and Domenico Di Carlo’s men will fancy their chances of causing an upset at the Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi (Chievo 5/1, draw 13/5, AC Milan 8/13 – 90 minutes).
Chievo have once again upset the odds this year and are currently on a run of four games without defeat. Despite their limited resources, Di Carlo’s men have impressed this term and are still in with an outside chance of qualifying for Europe.
Much of their success is based on a strong work ethic built around the midfield diamond of Luciano, Michael Bradley, Luca Rigoni and Frenchman Cyril Thereau.
However, they do have a few star players and for over a decade, striker Sergio Pellissier has been their talisman. The captain has once again led his charges in superb fashion this season but has only returned a disappointing tally of six goals this season. He has scored in his last two matches though and will be looking to continue his run of form on Tuesday (Chievo 8/1 to win 1-0 – correct score).
Milan look like they’re starting to struggle and they haven’t won in any of their last four games in all competitions. This has seen boss Massimiliano Allegri’s position come under severe scrutiny but his cause has not been helped by injuries and suspensions to a number of key players.
Going into the match, the San Siro side will be without the likes of Mark Van Bommel, Thiago Silva and Alexandre Pato due to injuries while Alberto Aquilani, Daniele Bonera and skipper Massimo Ambrosini are also ruled out through suspension.
However, they can still call on the likes of Robinho and the temperamental Zlatan Ibrahimovic to aid their cause, but it is likely to be one of their more unsung heroes who could make the difference.
Chievo are renowned for their battling performances and Milan will have to match them in this area of the game if they’re to have any chance of winning and in Antonio Nocerino they have possibly the country’s best. The 27-year-old signed from Palermo in the summer and has taken over Gennaro Gattuso’s role in the side as their ball winner. His display could be vital to the outcome of the match.
Both sides will be confident going into the game, however, Milan, despite their injuries and suspensions should just have enough quality to beat the Gialloblu but it will certainly be a tight game (Milan 5/1 to in 1-0 – correct score).
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