Serie A Preview: Milan vs Udinese – Team News, Lineups & Prediction | OneFootball

Milan will look to get back on track when they take on perennial strugglers Udinese at San Siro in a must-win Serie A clash. After a disappointing return to action from the international break, the Rossoneri will be keen to bounce back on Saturday.

A long-awaited 20th Scudetto is now a pipe dream for Milan, who slipped to third in the Serie A standings after a 1-0 defeat at reigning holders Napoli on Easter Monday. Trailing runaway leaders Inter by nine points, Massimiliano Allegri’s side cannot realistically hope to overthrow their eternal rivals in the last seven games of the season.

On the bright side, they boast a handsome six-point lead over fifth-placed Juventus, suggesting a return to the UEFA Champions League after a season-long absence is well within reach. Given Milan’s recent form, that’s not a foregone conclusion, with the Rossoneri losing twice in their last three league outings (W1).

Visiting Udinese are more than capable of throwing a spanner in the works, as most recently evidenced by the Friulians’ stubborn performance against fourth-placed Como on Monday. Kosta Runjaic’s team held the Lariani to a scoreless draw at the Bluenergy Stadium, avoiding defeat for the fourth time in their last five Serie A matches (W2, D2).

Safe in mid-table comforts, the visitors don’t have much to play for down the final stretch. Still, seeking their best league finish since the 2012/13 season, Udinese could yet frustrate Milan.

Match Preview

Milan

Despite kissing goodbye to their Scudetto ambitions, Milan must grit their teeth and bounce back from Monday’s heartbreak in Naples to distance themselves from Juventus. However, after losing just once in their opening 25 Serie A games, Milan’s form has taken a dramatic downturn, with the Rossoneri suffering three defeats in their last six league matches (W3).

Looking to steer his side back to winning ways, manager Max Allegri can take heart from Milan’s impressive league form at San Siro. Indeed, they have lost just once in their last 14 home outings in Serie A (W9, D4), including back-to-back victories over Inter and Torino in their two most recent such contests. Still, it’s worth noting that both those victories came by a single-goal margin.

There’s no doubt that Allegri wouldn’t mind securing another narrow triumph, which is a distinct possibility, given that six of the Rossoneri’s last seven league fixtures produced under 2.5 goals. It’s also worth noting that Milan have beaten Udinese in four consecutive league meetings, keeping a clean sheet on three occasions.

Udinese

Sitting just two points adrift of 10th-placed Sassuolo, Udinese remain firmly in contention for a first top-half finish in over a decade. Furthermore, a promising sequence of just one defeat from their last five league games serves to maintain a feel-good factor within the squad ahead of this mouth-watering road trip.

Despite facing long odds here, Udinese probably won’t go down without a fight, especially when factoring in their recent record at San Siro. Runjaic’s men have avoided defeat in three of their last five away league clashes against Milan (W1, D2). Moreover, the Friulians beat Inter 2-1 on this ground earlier this season.

Udinese’s decent away form can inspire further confidence. Indeed, the Friulians emerged victorious from three of their previous six Serie A road fixtures (D1, L2). Given that one of those three winless affairs saw them keep European hopefuls Atalanta to a 2-2 draw in Bergamo, it’s almost impossible to write them off before tonight’s kickoff.

Team News

With Matteo Gabbia resuming full training midweek, Milan should have a full squad to choose from on Saturday. Christian Pulisic, who scored a brace against Udinese in September, is expected to lead the line alongside Niclas Fullkrug, with the German striker likely to get the nod in attack ahead of out-of-form Rafael Leao.

On the other hand, Udinese will take this trip without long-term absentees Jordan Zemura and Alessandro Zanoli. Backup striker Adam Buksa is the only doubt, as he’s still struggling with a calf injury. Therefore, Keinan Davies will spearhead the visitors’ frontline at San Siro.

Milan vs Udinese Potential Starting Lineups

Milan (3-5-2): Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlovic; Saelemaekers, Fofana, Modric, Rabiot, Bartesaghi; Pulisic, Fullkrug.

Udinese (3-5-2): Okoye; Kristensen, Kabasele, Solet; Ehizibue, Ekkelenkamp, Karlstrom, Atta, Kamara; Zaniolo, Davis.

Milan vs Udinese Prediction