Last time both clubs met, AC Milan picked up all three points against Chievo through a second half goal from Luca Antonelli at the San Siro. It was a very close match, both sides were fighting for the vital three points and the home side were very wasteful with their chances. In the second half, a neat layoff from Carlos Bacca and the Italian defender shot went into far post beating the goalkeeper.

Form

Chievo have been really on and off as they have quite a lot of losses recently and have managed only three wins in 2016. The main man For Chievo this season was attacker Alberto Paloschi, but the Italian left for Premier League side Swansea during the January transfer window.

Now it’s mainly Valter Birsa, a player who can play anywhere on the pitch. Birsa has five goals and six assists in 28 apperances for the Serie A side. He has also picked up three Man of the Match awards this season so far. He is mainly used an centre attacking midfielder, but he is capable of playing in strike too. The Slovenian can be a threat from set-pieces and shooting from distance.

AC Milan were on a good streak until their defeat to Sassuolo last weekend. The Rossoneri side were undefeated for 12 games before the Sassuolo game, one of the best form they have been on for a while. The danger man to look out for from the side has got to be Carlos Bacca. The Colombian striker is the club’s top goal scorer with 13 goals and has two assists under his name too. The striker will lead the attack alongside Mario Balotelli, hoping for a confident win to close down rivals Inter Milan for a spot in next year’s Europa League.

Team News

Rolando Maran’s side will continue playing in the normal 4-3-1-2 formation. Midfielder Mariano Julio Izco has returned to training and forward Roberto Inglese return from injury is not yet confirmed. Meanwhile Federico Mattiello and Alessandro Gamberini who were expected to return early March, will not be featuring in the squad for the weekend.

Chievo predicted line-up (4-3-1-2): Bizzarri, Cacciatore, Dainelli, Cesar, Gobbi, Castro, Radovanovic, Rigoni, Birsa, Mpoku, Pellissier.

Sinisa Mihajlovic’s side will be expected to play the same 4-4-2 formation, but could make a few changes to the side that lost to Sassuolo 2-0 last week. Defender Phillippe Mexes who was out with a knee injury, should be back in training very soon. Meanwhile forward Luiz Adriano is still a doubt for the game and Riccardo Montolivo should be returning from injury soon. Also Rodrigo Ely and Mbaye Niang will 100% be not available due to the long-term they still have.

AC Milan predicted line-up (4-4-2): Donnarumma, Abate, Alex, Romagnoli, Antonelli, Honda, Kucka, Bertolacci, Bonaventura, Bacca, Balotelli.

What to expect

Chievo haven’t been very convincing in their home matches or their away matches while AC Milan haven’t replicated their good home form in their away games.

The match will surely be a close one, just like the game at San Siro. Milan should somehow manage to pick up the three points, especially if they want to close the gap down to finish in a Europa League spot.