Champions League
2010-11-03 - AC Milan vs Real Madrid
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football : Champions League Match Day 4
Wednesday 3 November 2010 - Kickoff 7:45pm
This game is live on TV
AC Milan (4 Points, 2nd)
AC Milan have a rich history in this competition, but suffice to say this side is not one of their best that they have had. The team was allowed to age during their recent period of success and the lack of funds in Italy has made it harder to attract the best players and suitable replacements. Milan have a tough task ahead of them to get out of this tough group and sit on the same number of points as Ajax, both teams 5 adrift of Real. The Rossoneri beat Auxerre 2-0 here and then draw with Ajax 1-1 in Amsterdam before losing to Real 2-0 last time out.
They have kept tabs on the top sides in Serie A too as they look to get back to the top of a mountain they have not seen since the early part of this decade. Milan are 3rd in the table, 5 points behind Lazio and only 1 point back from local rivals Inter Milan. They have a 3-1-1 record at the San Siro where they have scored 10 goals and conceded 4.
Disappointingly, they lost their first game at home this season on Saturday night when Juventus won here 1-2. Milan had won 3 of 4 games here before that result. A problem for them at the moment could be the fact they have not had a clean sheet in their last 4 games in all competitions, especially with the firepower Real Madrid possess.
Massimiliano Allegri will be missing Massimo Oddo and likely Daniele Bonera for this game from his backline. However there is more positive news that Ronaldinho, Gianluca Zambrotta, Thiago Alves and Massimo Ambrosini are all available for selection.
Real Madrid (9 Points, 1st)
To say Jose Mourinho has made an impact in his opening few weeks as Real Madrid manager is not doing the 'Special One' any justice. He became the first manager in their long and proud history to avoid defeat in his first 10 games and Mourinho has them playing exciting football. Real have won all 3 Champions League games so far, meaning a win here would secure passage into the last 16, very likely as Group Winners. They have won both home games with Milan and Ajax 2-0 and beat Auxerre 0-1 in France.
Real Madrid sit on top of La Liga, holding a 1 point lead over Barcelona, after winning 7 of their opening 9 League games. Madrid have found it more difficult away from home where they are 3-2-0, scoring 9 goals and conceding 3. A testimony to their style of play in recent weeks is the fact they hold a 6 goals better differential than Barcelona in terms of goals scored in the 9 games played.
October was a brilliant month to be a Real Madrid fan. Aside from a 0-0 draw at Murcia in the Copa Del Rey, they scored 21 goals in 5 games, conceding just 4 goals. Real have also won their last 2 away games in La Liga by scoring 7 goals and conceding 2.
Kaka is unlikely to have the opportunity to play his former club here as he is still recovering from knee surgery. Ezequiel Garay and Fernando Gago are also still recovering from ailments while Lassana Diarra has not travelled with the team to Milan.
Head to Head
Astonishingly, Real Madrid have played 13 times at the San Siro in their history and failed to win any of those games, only avoiding defeat on 3 occasions. These meetings have been against both Inter and AC Milan.
AC Milan themselves have a strong home record against Madrid, winning 5 and drawing 1 here at home, but that draw came in their 1-1 draw last season.
Prediction
Real Madrid may be suffering from a little mental block when playing in this stadium, but they have Jose Mourinho who should be fully aware of what Milan will bring to the table.
I think the first game 2 weeks ago was entertaining, and could have had far more than the 2 goals the game ended with. At the moment, both side have their issues keeping clean sheets, but are expected to attack. Real Madrid are particularly enjoying this aspect of things in recent games.
I feel we could be in for an entertaining night here. I think both sides will score, and that has been priced up at a short price, but I also feel there will be a winner. Goals might just flow on Wednesday night, and I will be taking the 'Over' option.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
AC Milan 1-2 Real Madrid (or 2-1)
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
I cant pick a winner here but I expect to see one. I will take Over 2.5 Goals
