AC Milan have a deficit to overturn as they host Feyenoord in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 playoff second leg. The Rossoneri's home form will give them confidence and they should have the upper hand over the Dutch side, who often struggle on their travels.
AC Milan were far from their best in the 1-0 first leg defeat to Feyenoord as they showed little fight after falling behind early in the first half. They barely tested the goalkeeper and manager Sergio Conceicao will be demanding a reaction from his players on Tuesday.
The good news for AC Milan is that they return to the San Siro, where they have won their last three Champions League matches. They are also unbeaten in their last 12 home matches in all competitions and claimed a 1-0 victory over Verona in Serie A over the weekend.
Feyenoord showed great discipline to hold on for the win in the first leg after Igor Paixao struck the only goal in the third minute. That result extends a good run in the Champions League for the Dutch side, who have now won three of their last four matches in the competition.
A slight problem for Feyenoord is their away form as they are winless in their last five matches, suffering four defeats in that run and playing out a 0-0 Eredivisie draw with NAC Breda last weekend. Pascal Bosschaart's team are also winless in their last two Champions League away matches, suffering a 6-1 defeat to Lille in their previous fixture on the road.
How the bookies view it: Bookies backing Milan
AC Milan have been installed as overwhelming favourites among the bookies and are priced at 4/9 by BoyleSports to claim the win. A victory for Feyenoord is valued at 5/1 while BoyleSports are also offering odds of 10/3 for a draw.
Head to head: Only one meeting
Last week's first leg was the only ever clash between AC Milan and Feyenoord.
Players to watch: Eyes on Gimenez
Santiago Gimenez had a quiet game in the first leg and will be keen to get one over on his former club having already scored twice for AC Milan. With Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao also in attack, the Rossoneri can be backed to score over 1.5 goals at 4/9 with BoyleSports.
Paixao already showed he can step up in the absence of Gimenez with his goal in the first leg. The forward will have support from Julian Carranza and both men can produce over 0.5 goals for the visitors at 5/4 with BoyleSports.
Probable line-ups
Emerson Royal is ruled out for AC Milan with a calf problem while Ruben Loftus-Cheek is rated as doubtful. Fikayo Tomori was suspended in the Serie A clash with Venezia last weekend and should return on Tuesday while Gimenez should continue in attack.
Feyenoord have multiple injury worries with Quinten Timber, Ayase Ueda and Calvin Stengs among a list of players currently nursing a problem. Ibrahim Osman and Carranza could be handed starts on Tuesday while Paixao is set to retain his place up front.
AC Milan: Maignan, Walker, Pavlovic, Tomori, Hernandez, Fofana, Reijnders, Pulisic, Felix, Leao, Gimenez
Feyenoord: Wellenreuther, Smal, Hancko, Beelen, Read, Milambo, Osman, Moder, Paixao, Hadj Moussa, Carranza
Anything else catch the eye?
Four of AC Milan’s last five Champions League home matches have seen over 2.5 goals, which is priced at 8/13 by BoyleSports, who are also offering odds of 3/4 on both teams to score. The hosts have scored in both halves in two of the last three fixtures in that run and a similar outcome is valued at 6/5 with BoyleSports.
The Rossoneri have seen more second half goals in two of their last three Champions League home matches and a similar outcome is priced at 20/21 by BoyleSports. With a home win priced at minimal odds, a win and both teams to score can be considered at 2/1 with BoyleSports.
This UEFA Champions League match between AC Milan and Feyenoord will be played on Feb 18, 2025 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best AC Milan vs Feyenoord prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
