Udinese will host AC Milan in Serie A at the Friuli Stadium, in the Week 11 match of the Italian League on Monday (5/11/2018). Can AC Milan win this match?
Udinese are currently in an unpleasant position in the Serie A. standings. They occupy 17th place with only 9 points from the 10 matches they have played. Only three points separate them from Empoli who are in the relegation zone, and defeat can potentially making Udinese fall into a worse position. Therefore, they are required to achieve positive results in this match.
Udinese coach Julio Velásquez is expected to stay in the 3-5-2 formation he used in the match against Genoa last weekend. From the condition of the team, Valon Behrami might be reserved in this match, to make room for talented midfielder Rolando Mandragora.
AC Milan are now in the top four after midweek defeating Genoa 2-1, which was a postponed match in the first week due to the collapse of Ponte Morandi. The result was Milan's second straight victory, having previously beaten Sampdoria, 3-2, just a few days earlier. Now they have a good chance to get three more points when facing the team that is struggling; Udinese.
In AC Milan's camp, Gennaro Gattuso surprisingly formed AC Milan in a 3-4-1-2 formation in the match against Genoa in the middle of last week, with Suso acting as a winger.
With Giacomo Bonaventura expected to be available again, Gattuso should be able to return to the 4-4-2 formation in the match against Udinese. Tiemoué Bakayoko was praised for his midweek appearance, and it seems he will play with Franck Kessie in midfield, because Lucas Biglia has a problem with his calf.
Even so, there is still room for improvement, especially when fixing some problems at the back. That's because Milan haven't kept a clean sheet in the 10 matches they played in the league. So, this is a good opportunity for Udinese to be able to score in this match.
Udinese mainstay:
Rodrigo de Paul is the best player at Udinese this season. He was able to provide excellent sharpness on the front lines, and often saved his team's points at critical moments.
Of the 10 matches he has played with Udinese throughout this season in Serie A, Rodrigo has managed to create 5 goals and 3 assists. It was an impressive incision from the 17th place in the standings, and he was ready to make a big contribution in this match.
AC Milan mainstay:
Gonzalo Higuain Despite being a guest team in this match, AC Milan came up with a mission to win at the Friuli Stadium. They will also display an attack scheme, relying on their star players.
Gonzalo Higuain will be relied on by Gattuso on the front lines of his team. The Argentine striker has scored five goals in Serie A this season, and with the support of players like Suso and Bonaventura, Higuain will get enough ball to penetrate the Udinese defense.
Head-to-head Udinese vs AC Milan:
Milan have won only one of their last six trips to Udinese, with one draw and four defeats.
Udinese lost in their last three home matches.
Udinese vs AC Milan score prediction:
This will be an uneasy match for AC Milan. With Udinese's critical position in the Serie A standings, they will try to get points in this home game.
Milan is just one of several teams in Europe's Big 5 league that have not kept clean sheets this season. Therefore, Udinese really had a great opportunity to reach at least one goal in this match.
Even though they are in bad condition at this time, Milan have struggled in this place. The Zebrette might be a little seeded because it plays at its own headquarters. In addition, Milan also have problems with injured players and also focus on the middle Europa League next week. A draw could be the end of the duel at Friuli Stadium this time.
Predicted line-ups
Udinese XI: Musso; Samir, Troost-Ekong, Opoku; Larsen, Barak, Fofana, Mandragora, Pussetto; Lasagna, Paul.
AC Milan XI: Donnarumma; Abate, Musacchio, Romagnoli, Rodriguez; Suso, Kessie, Bakayoko, Bonaventura; Higuain, Cutrone.
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