AC Milan welcome Pisa to San Siro for a Friday night Italian Serie A fixture. The Rossoneri are looking to strengthen their lead at the top of the table, while the visitors are still trying to come to terms with the quality in the topflight.
AC Milan are coming off a 2-1 home victory over Fiorentina in their previous Serie A fixture, with Rafael Leao netting a brace. The win was good enough to take them top of the table, with Massimiliano Allegri's men now one point above local rivals Inter Milan.
That result also extends AC Milan's winning run to seven matches in all competitions, picking up six wins on this stretch. The Rossoneri have also won their last four home matches in all competitions.
While the hosts are flying high, Pisa have struggled to cope with the quality in the topflight. The newly-promoted side are yet to earn a win in the league this season and currently sit at the bottom of the table.
Pisa travel to San Siro off the back of a 0-0 home draw with Verona last time out in Serie A, failing to score for the fourth straight match. Alberto Gilardino’s men have also lost their last four away matches in all competitions.
How the bookies view it: Smooth sailing for Milan
AC Milan have been installed as overwhelming favourites among the bookies, with a home win priced at 2/7 by Boyle Sports. An unlikely victory for Pisa is valued at 8/1, while a draw is set at odds of 15/4.
Head to head: Rossoneri on top
AC Milan have won the only two previous matches against Pisa. They did the double back in the 1990-91 season, with both matches ending in a 1-0 victory.
Players to watch: Eyes on Pulisic
Rafael Leao capped off a fine performance against Fiorentina by netting a brace last time out. The forward will be keen to go on a scoring run and could be the one to watch (Rafael Leao anytime goalscorer – priced at 13/8 by Boyle Sports).
With Pisa struggling in attack and failing to score in their last four matches, AC Milan will be targeting a shutout. Mattia Gabbia has impressed at the back and can lead the Rossoneri to a clean sheet – valued at 4/5.
Probable line-ups:
Christian Pulisic is ruled out with a thigh injury, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Pervis Estupinan and Christopher Nkunku are also sidelined. Leao should lead the line once again, while Gabbia is set to start in defence.
Pisa also have injury problems of their own, with Tomas Esteves, Calvin Stengs and Mateus Lusuardi all sidelined. Marius Marin should continue in the midfield while M’Bala Nzola is set to feature in attack once again.
AC Milan: Maignan, Pavlovic, Gabbia, Tomori, Athekame, Ricci, Modric, Fofana, Bartesaghi, Saelemaekers, Leao.
Pisa: Semper, Canestrelli, Albiol, Caracciolo, Leris, Marin Aebischer, Akinsanmiro, Angori, Nzola, Moreo.
Anything else catch the eye?
Pisa have failed to score in their last four Serie A matches and AC Milan will be targeting a win to nil – offered at Evens with Boyle Sports. The second half has produced more goals in three of the Rossoneri’s last four home matches (Second half most goals – available at odds of 20/21).
With Pisa conceding three or more goals in two of their last three away matches, a handicap bet for the hosts could be considered (AC Milan -1 handicap – set at odds of 5/6).
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