NEWCASTLE UNITED return to the group stages of the Champions League for the first time in 21 years and it doesn't come much bigger than a trip to the San Siro to face AC Milan.
The Geordies have been looking forward to this since they qualified last season and what a way to start.
They should be travelling to Italy full of confidence against the seven-times winners for two reasons. They ended a lean spell in the Premier League with a gutsy win over Brentford.
And AC Milan must be on a serious downer after a disastrous 5-1 spanking from Inter Milan at the weekend. It was the first time Inter had netted five goals against their rivals since 1974 and it hardly inspires confidence.
It came as all the more unwelcome to Stefano Pioli's side had previously won all three of their Serie A games with two of them away to Bologna and Roma as well as a home thumping of Torino.
Newcastle are still to really click although there would have been plenty of relief for Eddie Howe after Saturday night's success with questions starting to be asked of him for the first time.
And they will still face a huge test in Milan.
HOW THE BOOKIES VIEW IT
Home advantage sees AC Milan installed as favourites…but not by much. The Italians can be backed at 11/8 with William Hill.
Newcastle will have their backers at 9/5 with Coral and the draw is 13/5 with bet365.
RECENT HEAD TO HEADS
The clubs have never met before in European competition.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Rafael Leao netted AC Milan's consolation at the weekend and the Portuguese striker has scored two goals this season in four games for Milan. He is 12/5 to score anytime.
As usual, Callum Wilson showed what he can do at the weekend for Newcastle, via the penalty spot this time. The England striker has netted three goals already this season and is 21/10 to score anytime with bet365.
ANYTHING ELSE CATCH THE EYE?
AC Milan can put their derby disaster to one side and edge out Newcastle here in what should be a tight affair.
You have to put that weekend hammering down as a blip to a Milan side who had been excellent going into the game. They will also surely be desperate to make amneds to their outraged supporters.
Even though Newcastle got back to winning ways, there remains a sense they are not anywhere near their best yet and they will be under serious pressure here with Milan having plenty of attacking options.
That said, Newcastle have enough about them to score against a Milan side where both teams have scored in three of their four games this season. Go for both teams to score and over 2.5 goals at 20/21 with bet365.
This UEFA Champions League match between AC Milan and Newcastle United will be played on Sep 19, 2023 and kick off at 17:45. Check below for our tipsters best AC Milan vs Newcastle United prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
In December 2020 we sadly 
Milan is my favourite away days in Europe over the years,what a city and iconic stadium. Seen some of the best players of the last 20/30yrs in that stadium…Cafu, Costacurta, , Nesta, Maldini, Gattuso, Rui Costa, Seedorf, Schevchenko, Inzaghi, Pirlo ,Kaka amongst others
Hope the Geordies get a result
Infact look at the back 4 in that list,absolute gravy…Cafu – Nesta – Costacurta – Maldini
Totally agree- the San Siro feels like you’re stepping back in time… the names you mentioned were all phenomenal players. I loved Inzaghi just for his total passion for scoring goals!