SM
Friday, November 8
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data
SC
Serie A | Gameweek 6
Sep 25, 2021 at 2pm UK
Stadio Alberto Picco, La Spezia, Italy
ML

Spezia
1 - 2
AC Milan

Verde (80')
Sala (25'), Nikolaou (89')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Maldini (48'), Diaz (86')
Maldini (58'), Hernandez (90')

Preview: Spezia vs. AC Milan - prediction, team news, lineups

:Headline: Preview: Spezia vs. AC Milan - prediction, team news, lineups:
Sports Mole previews Saturday's Serie A clash between Spezia and AC Milan, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Sports Mole

Following a victory in midweek, AC Milan return to Stadio Alberto Picco for the first time since Spezia's historic triumph over them in Liguria last February.

One of the first faltering steps as they faded out of Scudetto contention, the Rossoneri will want to avenge that result and keep the pressure on their rivals at the top of this term's Serie A standings.


Match preview

With a win over Venezia on Wednesday evening, Milan equalled the 13 points they collected after five games last season - having only matched or surpassed that tally twice since the turn of the century - and put themselves within touching distance of flawless Napoli at the summit of Serie A.

After resting a few first-teamers for the visit of their newly-promoted opponents, Stefano Pioli's side were ultimately indebted to flying full-back Theo Hernandez, who made a major impact from the bench to help the Rossoneri claim a 2-0 victory with a well-struck goal and an assist.

That maintained their unbeaten start to the league campaign - though they did fall to defeat at Anfield upon their long-awaited return to the Champions League - as the second city giants aim to mount another challenge for their first Scudetto since 2011.

However, Pioli and company now travel to La Spezia with the shadow of an infamous loss looming over them, after they were beaten 2-0 by the home side when they visited the Picco for the first time in Serie A history last term.

Such setbacks must be avoided at all costs this season, if the Rossoneri are to sustain their push for the top step of the podium; particularly as city rivals Inter look undisturbed by their summertime departures, while Napoli and Roma seem to have improved again too.

Ahead of a week when they host Spanish champions Atletico Madrid in Europe before an all-Lombardy clash with Atalanta, only three points will do for the exacting Pioli on Saturday afternoon, but they are unlikely to come easily.

Just days after they claimed their first league win of the season in dramatic fashion, when recent acquisition Mehdi Bourabia stole the points in the 94th minute versus Venezia, it briefly appeared that Spezia were on course to surpass last season's achievement in humbling Milan.

Leading 2-1 against serial champions Juventus with over an hour played, the Aquilotti faithful were starting to dream of writing a new page in the Ligurian club's history, but events in the final 25 minutes ultimately left them empty-handed.

After Janis Antiste cut inside with ease to confidently beat Wojciech Szczesny at his near post, Juve were reeling, but the Old Lady regained composure and ran out 3-2 winners thanks to Federico Chiesa and Matthijs de Ligt finding the Spezia net in quick succession.

Nonetheless, spirits will have been raised inside the squad managed by former Inter midfielder Thiago Motta, as they prepare to host another giant of Calcio at the weekend, before their fixture list eases with games against teams such as Verona, Salernitana and Genoa before the end of next month.

Spezia have now lost three of their last five home matches in Serie A, so will surely prioritise avoiding defeat on Saturday - with one of the division's worst defensive records also undermining their cause.

Spezia Serie A form:
  • D
  • L
  • L
  • W
  • L

Spezia form (all competitions):
  • W
  • D
  • L
  • L
  • W
  • L

AC Milan Serie A form:
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • D
  • W

AC Milan form (all competitions):
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • L
  • D
  • W

Team News

Recently short of centre-forward options, Milan could have French striker Olivier Giroud back on the bench this weekend, after he returned to full training during the week.

The Rossoneri have been without both Giroud and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in recent games, with Ante Rebic leading the line in their absence, and the versatile Croatia international is favourite to retain that role in Stefano Pioli's XI.

The experienced coach may well return a few familiar faces to his lineup, following a raft of midweek changes, as Theo Hernandez, Fikayo Tomori and Franck Kessie are all expected to start.

Centre-back Simon Kjaer recently joined a lengthening injury list for the Rossoneri, with Ibrahimovic (Achilles), Rade Krunic (muscular), Tiemoue Bakayoko (leg) and Davide Calabria (muscular) all set to be excluded, though summer signing Junior Messias might be fit to feature at some stage.

Should club captain Calabria remain absent, Alessandro Florenzi and Pierre Kalulu will contend for a place at right-back.

Spezia, meanwhile, were without Martin Erlic, Kevin Agudelo, Ebrima Colley, Viktor Kovalenko, Polish wing-back Arkadiusz Reca and Leo Sena on Wednesday, and they are all poised to miss out again.

Petko Hristov should therefore continue in the centre of the back four, with on-loan Rey Manaj battling it out with midweek goalscorer Janis Antiste and last season's star man M'Bala Nzola to start up front. Eddie Salcedo is set for a second-half role from the bench.

Spezia possible starting lineup:
Zoet; Amian, Hristov, Nikolaou, Bastoni; Ferrer, Bourabia, Maggiore; Verde, Antiste, Gyasi

AC Milan possible starting lineup:
Maignan; Kalulu, Tomori, Romagnoli, Hernandez; Tonali, Kessie; Saelemaekers, Diaz, Leao; Rebic


We say: Spezia 1-3 AC Milan

Injuries and the distraction of tougher tests to come may well take the edge off Milan's efforts at the Picco, but their young and talented squad can secure a fifth win from six due to their hosts' defensive deficiencies.

Clearly, on their day, Spezia can pose a threat to any side, but Thiago Motta's approach leaves them open to being badly stung by counter-attacks - perfect for the Rossoneri's pacy wide men to ruthlessly expose.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting an away win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Away Win:data




body check tags ::

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


amp_article__465051 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2024-06-05 12:59:53:
html db last update - 2024-06-05 12:59:53 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html
Read more!
Share this article now:


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Recommended Next on SM
Barcelona, PSG 'view Kessie as Pogba alternative'
Amad to the rescue: Ivorian stars as Man United beat PAOK in Europa League
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Pisa1283122111127
2SassuoloSassuolo1274124121225
3SpeziaSpezia12660168824
4Cesena125342018218
5Cremonese125341816218
6Juve StabiaJuve Stabia124531313017
7Brescia125251617-117
8Palermo124441210216
9Sampdoria124351615115
10BariBari122821311214
11CatanzaroCatanzaro12282119214
12Reggiana123451113-213
13Carrarese123451113-213
14Salernitana123451316-313
15Mantova123451115-413
16SudtirolSudtirol124171419-513
17Cittadella12336617-1112
18Cosenza CalcioCosenza123631011-111
19Modena122551619-311
20FrosinoneFrosinone12165717-109
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

Felix, Nkunku net brace as Chelsea run rampant in demolition of FC Noah

1

FN

Have Palmer, Rice made the cut? Lee Carsley's final England squad revealed!

2

HP

Neymar seeking Saudi exit in favour of return to former club?

3

NS

Dyche 'leaves door open' for Branthwaite exit amid Man United links

4

D'

Messi MVP quest continues, but will Busquets play? Inter Miami predicted XI vs. Atlanta

5

MM

Preview: Crystal Palace vs. Fulham - prediction, team news, lineups

6

PC

Thursday's Europa League predictions including Man Utd vs. PAOK

7

TE

Premier League return? Man United 'eyeing' move for Bayern forward

8

PL

Preview: Angers vs. PSG - prediction, team news, lineups

9

PA

Bernabeu to Anfield? Real Madrid 'open' to selling star 'contacted' by Liverpool

10

BT


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .