Milan v Arsenal Predictions, Betting Tips and Previews

San Siro - Europa League

AC Milan host Arsenal at the San Siro in the last 16 of the Europa League on Thursday, in what is a massive tie for both clubs. Arsene Wenger’s reign at the Emirates appears to be coming to an end, while Gennaro Gattuso has started to turn things around for AC.

Past Meetings

The teams last played each other in the Champions League knockout rounds in 2012. After AC won the first leg 4-0 in Milan, Arsenal pushed them close in the return by racing into a 3-0 lead during the first half. The Gunners were unable to find another goal in the second period though, going out 4-3 on aggregate.

Team News

Gattuso is short on full-backs ahead of this game, with Andrea Conti, Luca Antonelli and Ignazio Abate all struggling with injuries. Apart from that, the Milan boss has no new injury worries to concern him, with youngster Patrick Cutrone expected to lead the line.

Wenger has his own full back to worry about, with Nacho Monreal still struggling with the injury he picked up in the Carabao Cup final defeat against Manchester City. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is cup-tied after already featuring for Dortmund, which is exacerbated by the fact that Alexandre Lacazette has a knee problem.

Milan v Arsenal Preview and Predictions

It’s fair to say that this season has hardly worked out how either of these two sides might have expected. Big money was spent at AC Milan, who now lie seventh in Serie A, while Arsenal’s season has rapidly disintegrated.

Gattuso has at least brought some resilience back into the Rossoneri ranks, as they try to live up to their Il Diavolo nickname. They’re eight points behind fourth placed Lazio, albeit with a game in hand, so the Europa League could be a great opportunity for Milan to get back to Europe’s top table. If you think they’ll take a lead over to north London for the return, the odds on a home win are 11/10.

Arsenal must now also look to this competition as their best, if not only route back into the Champions League. They’ve lost four of their last five games, and are now 13 points behind Tottenham in the Premier League, who currently occupy fourth position. With Wenger surely set to leave at the end of the season, Europa League glory could be a fitting way for him to finish. The Gunners are 57/10 for the win on Thursday, with the draw priced at 13/5.

Recommended Bets

Milan to win to nil at 27/10

After scoring just one goal in their last three games, Arsenal will be without both of their big money strikers in Aubameyang and Lacazette.

Arsenal to win and both team to score at 11/2

Even if you think the beleaguered Gunners can pick up a huge win in this game, their leaky defence is unlikely to be able to keep a clean sheet.