AC Milan vs Juventus 08/07/20

08 July 2020

Arguably the most highly anticipated fixture on the Serie A football schedule this week takes place at the Stadio San Siro as AC Milan take on arch-rivals Juventus.

Free-scoring ‘Rossoneri’ have netted over 1.5 goals in one half in each of their last four Serie A games (W3, D1) as they continue to pursuit Europa League qualification for the next season. But, Milan’s hopes of landing a top-six finish now face a formidable challenge of a Juventus side they’ve lost to in five of their last six top-flight H2Hs held at this venue (W1). Notably, five of those six results (win/loss) have seen the winner on the day keep a clean sheet, which has been true in 55.56% (five) of Milan’s nine Serie A home results this season. Indeed, Stefano Pioli will be desperate to see his side score the opening goal, given that they picked up just one win from seven league home fixtures in which they’ve conceded the opener (D2, L4).

Meanwhile, the visitors have hit a purple patch of form as they head to Lombardy on the back of seven Serie A wins in a row, six of which produced at least a two-goal margin and saw Juventus score the opening goal. Curiously, though, five of Juve’s last seven league road trips have yielded the identical 2-1 scoreline (W5, L2). Quick-start ‘Bianconeri’ have scored the opener (if any) in 11 of 15 Serie A away matches this season but failed to keep the lead on four of those occasions (W7, D2, L2). Continuous lapses of concentration in the second half have seen the reigning Italian champions concede the majority (73.33%) of the league away goals allowed come after the break (11/15).