MX23RW : Saturday, November 21 11:46:52| >> :120:39375:39375:
Sep 27, 2020 at 5pm UK at Stadio Ezio Scida
CrotoneCrotone
0-2
AC MilanAC Milan

Marrone (45+2')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Kessie (45+2' pen.), Diaz (50')
Pioli (57'), Gabbia (63'), Hernandez (78'), Leao (90+4')

Preview: Crotone vs. AC Milan - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Serie A game between Crotone and AC Milan, including team news and predicted lineups.

AC Milan make the trip to Crotone on Sunday afternoon looking to build on their opening-game victory over Bologna.

Meanwhile, Crotone are playing their first home fixture in Serie A since 2018 after earning promotion from the second tier.


Match preview

AC Milan manager Stefano Pioli pictured in February 2020© Reuters

After a strong finish to last season, Stefano Pioli is under pressure to turn AC Milan into Serie A title challengers over the course of this campaign.

A 2-0 victory over Bologna on Monday evening courtesy of a Zlatan Ibrahimovic double represented the perfect start for the Italian giants.

However, with their star man having tested positive for coronavirus and a less-than-convincing showing being produced against Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League, there is much work ahead for this team.

I Rosseneri have put together a 16-match unbeaten streak in all competitions, a run which has included 12 wins, but Pioli will be eager to quickly extend that to 19 fixtures before the derby against Inter Milan.

As well as games against newly-promoted Crotone and Spezia, Milan travel to Portugal to take on Rio Ave for a place in the Europa League group stages.

From Crotone's perspective, this is one of the glamour fixtures which they have been anticipating since ending their two-season spell in Serie B.

Nevertheless, reality would have kicked in last weekend when they quickly found themselves two goals down at Genoa, eventually losing out 4-1 to opponents who narrowly avoided relegation as recently as July.

I Pitagorici had the consolation of getting on the scoresheet through the well-travelled Emmanuel Riviere, but they must improve defensively if they wish to avoid a season-long battle at the wrong end of the table.

With Sassuolo and Juventus to follow Sunday's fixture, boss Giovanni Stroppa will recognise that it may be a case of damage limitation over the coming weeks.

Crotone Serie A form: L

AC Milan Serie A form: W
AC Milan form (all competitions): WWW


Team News

Zlatan Ibrahimovic in action for Milan on January 6, 2020© Reuters

With Ibrahimovic sidelined for at least the next two matches, Pioli must decide whether to hand a first league start to teenager Lorenzo Colombo.

Sandro Tonali may also be brought into the lineup for his first start since signing from Brescia.

With next Thursday's important clash against Rio Ave in mind, Pioli will give thought to making further alterations.

Crotone's Andrea Rispoli could be brought in a replacement for Antonio Mazzotta at wing-back.

After their improved second-half showing against Genoa, that may prove to be the only alternation.

Crotone possible starting lineup:
Cordaz; Magallan, Marrone, Golemic; Molina, Cigarini, Zanellato, Rispoli; Messias; Simy, Riviere

AC Milan possible starting lineup:
Donnarumma; Calabria, Kjaer, Gabbia, Hernandez; Tonali, Bennacer; Castillejo, Calhanoglu, Rebic; Colombo


SM words green background

We say: Crotone 1-4 AC Milan

Given the size of their defeat last weekend, this is not the ideal second fixture for the newcomers. Although Milan were far from convincing in the Europa League, we expect the visitors to cruise to victory at the weekend.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 3.5:data

ID:415758:cQx

Who will win Sunday's Serie A clash between Crotone and AC Milan?

Crotone
Draw
AC Milan
Crotone
0.0%
Draw
0.0%
AC Milan
0.0%
0
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Zlatan Ibrahimovic in action for Milan on January 6, 2020
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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1AC Milan7520167917
2SassuoloSassuolo7430189915
3Napoli7502157814
4Roma74211611514
5Juventus7340156913
6Atalanta BCAtalanta74121814413
7Inter Milan73311611512
8Hellas VeronaHellas Verona7331105512
9Lazio73221113-211
10CagliariCagliari73131415-110
11Sampdoria73131111010
12Fiorentina72231012-28
13SpeziaSpezia72231115-48
14Bologna72051113-26
15BeneventoBenevento72051020-106
16Parma7133813-56
17Torino71241216-45
18Genoa7124715-85
19Udinese7115611-54
20Crotone7025617-112

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