AC Milan vs Crotone: Preview and Prediction

AC Milan vs Crotone
2016/17 Italian Serie A.
Date: Sunday, 4 December 2016
Kick-Off: 11:30 UK,
Venue: Stadio San Siro (Milan).

AC Milan will hope to take advantage of their opponents’ tricky fixtures this weekend as they welcome struggling Crotone to the Stadio San Siro on Sunday afternoon.

Whilst Lazio face Roma and Juventus take on Atalanta, the Rossoneri have what should be a straightforward match against the Squali. Given that things are pretty congested in places two through five, Serie A fans may see some huge changes by the time the dust settles. Currently, Vincenzo Montella’s men will come into this match having won three out of their last four fixtures. They could also overtake the Giallorossi into second spot with an expected win on home turf.

The Diavolo have lost just once at the Stadio San Siro, when they were beaten 1-0 by Udinese. That was back on September 11th. And although Crotone have temporarily lifted themselves off the bottom of the table, they will be expectedly the underdogs here. Earlier, the Squali faced Inter at this same venue and thanks to an uber-defensive approach that saw them play all 10 men behind the ball, it appeared like they just may be able to frustrate the Nerazzurri and pick up a point.

However, once the floodgates opened, they were unable to stem the tide. Inter scored three in rapid succession within the last ten minutes as the first goal forced them to come out of their defensive shell. It’s not even halfway through the season yet, but Crotone are shaping up for a quick return to Serie B.

Like fellow debutants Frosinone last season, the Squali predictably have found life in the top flight simply too difficult, and unless if something changes quickly, they may find this season to be a one-off. Then again, Sassuolo, who made their debut in 2013, managed to scrape by and finish in 17th that season, so anything is possible.

AC Milan vs Crotone: Head-to-head statistics

• Milan have lost just one out of their last 20 home games against teams ranked below them in the table (W11, D8).
• The Rossoneri have lost just one out of their last 11 Serie A games (against Genoa), whilst winning eight of those.
• Crotone have lost six out of their last seven away games.
• There have been over 2.5 goals scored in five out of Crotone’s last six away games.
• The Squali have conceded at least two goals in five out of their last six road matches.

AC Milan vs Crotone: Prediction

Milan and Crotone have only met once before. That was back in last season’s Coppa Italia. It took extra time for the Rossoneri to beat them 3-1 in the fourth round, but they should be able to take care of business and move up into second spot – albeit temporarily – ahead of Roma’s tie with Lazio in the Derby della Capitale.