AC Milan visit De Kuip on Wednesday for the first leg of their crucial UEFA Champions League playoff against Feyenoord. It is likely to be a keenly contested clash but the Rossoneri have the superior quality and should have the edge.
Feyenoord are back in the knockout stages of the Champions League for the first time since the 1984/85 season, but their journey has been far from smooth.
A crushing 6-1 defeat to Lille in the league phase raised doubts, followed by domestic losses to PSV and Ajax. However, a 3-0 win over Sparta Rotterdam has restored some belief ahead of their clash with AC Milan.
Despite their inconsistency, the Dutch champions have a strong home record and are unbeaten in six of their last seven matches at De Kuip. Brian Priske’s men also showed their big-game pedigree with a commanding 3-0 victory over Bayern Munich in the league phase.
AC Milan, however, come into this tie in better form and with more experience at this level. The Rossoneri finished the league phase two points ahead of Feyenoord. Their 2-1 defeat to Dinamo Zagreb on match-day eight was a setback, but they had won their previous five matches and were already through to the playoffs.
The Rossoneri are unbeaten in five of their last six matches across all competitions, earning four wins in that run. Their latest outing saw Sergio Conceicao’s men claim a comfortable 2-0 win over Empoli in Serie A.
How the bookies view it: Advantage Milan
AC Milan have been backed by the bookies as favourites to win this fixture with BoyleSports offering odds of 6/5 for that outcome. Feyenoord to win is priced at 19/10 while a draw is valued at 5/2 by BoyleSports.
Head to head: A fixture frozen in time
After 54 years, AC Milan and Feyenoord meet again in the UEFA Champions League. Their only previous clash in 1969/70 saw Milan win 1-0 at San Siro, but Feyenoord responded with a 2-0 victory in Rotterdam before going on to lift the European Cup.
Players to watch: All eyes on Gimenez
Giménez faces his former club with 17 goals this season, including 16 for Feyenoord. Already making an impact at Milan with a goal in the last game, he could exploit Feyenoord’s weak defense and is priced at 13/8 by BoyleSports to score.
Igor Paixão is now Feyenoord’s top scorer with seven goals and has netted in two of their last four matches. He looks primed to step up after Giménez’s exit, with BoyleSports offering odds of 10/3 for him to score.
Probable line-ups
Feyenoord are expected to be without several key players this week, including Justin Bijlow, Calvin Stengs, and Jordan Lotomba. Gernot Trauner and Chris-Kevin Nadje are also sidelined. However, they should be able to count on Igor Paixao, Quinten Timber and David Hancko to strengthen the course of getting a result against their Italian opponents.
For Milan, Emerson Royal is sidelined until next month with a calf injury, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Pierre Kalulu are doubtful for Wednesday’s Champions League clash. However, Milan have enough quality in the team with Reijnders, Pulisic, Leao, Abraham and Gimenez all available for selection.
Feyenoord: Wellenreuther, Nieuwkoop, Beelen, Hancko, Hartman, Timber, Hwang, Moder, Hadj-Moussa, Carranza, Paixao
AC Milan: Maignan, Walker, Tomori, Thiaw, Hernandez, Fofana, Reijnders, Leao, Gimenez, Pulisic, Abraham
Anything else catch the eye?
Four of the last five AC Milan games have produced Over 9.5 corners. This is a trend that is likely to continue with BoyleSports offering odds of 5/6 for eventual outcome.
Three of the last five AC Milan games have witnessed both teams to score with over 2.5 goals and going by the attacking style of play of the two teams, this is an outcome worth considering with BoyleSports offering odds of 20/21 for it.
This UEFA Champions League match between Feyenoord and AC Milan will be played on Feb 12, 2025 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Feyenoord vs AC Milan prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
