Match Preview :

In midweek Milan struggled to get past bottom side Novara in the Coppa Italia. Are we going to see a repeat performance as Milan travels to face Novara in this fixture?

Novara will be hosting this time after being the visitors in midweek for the Coppa Italia. Despite losing in midweek, they took Milan to extra time and only going out then, after which it gave their confidence a huge boost. Alexandre Pato scored the winner at the 100th minute but then suffered a thigh strain which will keep him out for three to four weeks. That is the last thing they needed after suffering a defeat to Inter last weekend going down 1-0.

That ended a 12-match unbeaten run in Serie A and the Scudetto is now wide open once more. Milan needs to get back to winning ways starting with this match.

Meanwhile, Novara's coach Attilio Tesser took the club to two consecutive promotions, but his job is in doubt after a run of four defeats and two draws. In the January transfer window he has already signed the likes of Andrea Caracciolo, Giuseppe Mascara and Daniel Jensen.

The last time Milan visited Novara was way back in January 1956 when they won 4-3. Their total record here is seven wins, two draws and six losses in all competition.

Team News :

Milan Team News :
They have a huge injury list which includes Kevin-Prince Boateng, Alberto Aquilani, Gennaro Gattuso, Mario Yepes, Mathieu Flamini and Antonio Cassano out of the side for at least a month.

To make matters worse, goalkeeper Christian Abbiati is also sidelined for this game along with the suspended Alessandro Nesta.

That means we could see the likes of Alexander Merkel and Djamel Mesbah, both signed this week from Genoa and Lecce respectively, could be drafted into the starting lineup.

Novara Team News :
The likes of Massimo Paci and Paolo Hernan Dellafiore are out of the side due to suspensions. Carlalberto Ludi, Alex Pinardi and Andrea Lisuzzo are also rated doubtful.

Possible lineups

Novara : Ujkani; Morganella, Rinaudo, Centurioni, Garcia, Gemiti; Jensen, Radovanovic, Rigoni; Caracciolo, Mascara

A.C Milan : Amelia; Abate, Mexes, Thiago Silva, Antonini; Ambrosini, Van Bommel, Nocerino; Seedorf; Ibrahimovic, Robinho

Predictions :

Take Milan to win and return to winning ways after the defeat to Inter in their last match.

The Statistics :

The Pick :

Novara 0-2 Milan

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Milan to win comfortably here.

HANDICAP BETTING :

Main bet :
Take AC Milan to clear the 1 1/4 ball and return to winning ways.