AC Milan vs Pescara
2016/17 Italian Serie A.
Date: Sunday, 30 October 2016
Kick-Off: 14:00 UK,
Venue: Stadio San Siro (Milan).
Football indeed is a fickle thing, and AC Milan found this out pretty quickly in their midweek tie. The Rossoneri were still glowing after their deserved 1-0 win over Juventus that saw them close the gap on the Bianconeri to just two points. However, they were brought crashing back down to earth as they were shocked 3-0 by a Genoa side eager to get back on track after losing 2-1 in the Derby della Lanterna.
That defeat marked the first for Vincenzo Montella’s men since being on the wrong end of a 1-0 score-line against Udinese back in September. However, they now have a perfect chance to pick themselves up, and even better, in front of their home fans. Upcoming opponents Pescara are already involved in a relegation battle and still have yet to win an actual match this season.
Massimo Oddo’s side’s sole three points are still those given to them following Sassuolo having their 2-1 win nullified due to their clerical error. The Delfini will definitely be bitterly disappointed after narrowly losing 1-0 to Atalanta, but such is life in football. They will now have to try to stop their downward spiral against a Milan side who will indeed be determined to rebound after their disappointing midweek result.
Pescara’s problems are two-fold. They can’t keep shipping goals, and scoring has been increasingly hard to come by; in their past four games they have scored twice but conceded seven. So, despite Milan facing a spate of injuries for this match, the visitors really will be up against it to even manage to leave Italy’s fashion capital with anything from this upcoming tie.
AC Milan vs Pescara: Head-to-head statistics
Milan have lost just one out of their last 20 home games against teams ranked below them in the table (11 wins, eight draws).
Pescara are 2-2-15 in their past 19 matches against teams above them in the league table.
The Delfini have failed to win their past ten Serie A games.
The Rossoneri have won their last three home games.
All of Pescara’s away games have been losses by at least two goals or more this season.
Milan have never lost to Pescara yet (two wins from two meetings) whilst outscoring them 8 to 1
AC Milan vs Pescara: Prediction
Milan are keen on finally ending their absence from European football, and so far, the Rossoneri have done well under Vincenzo Montella. However, how they respond from a setback will be crucial. Juventus lost 1-0 to them on the weekend, but bounced back by thrashing Sampdoria 4-1. The same goes for teams like Napoli and Roma, who have had to re-assert themselves after a surprise reversal at one point or another.
It indeed will be interesting to see if their setback against Genoa will be a minor blip or a major bump that causes the wheels to start to fall off at this juncture. Fortunately for them, the Diavlo have been given a kind draw and should be able to use this match to turn things around quickly. Carlos Bacca, who has netted six goals so far, will also want to end his mini-drought. The Colombian has been quite prolific at home and five out of his six in fact have taken place at the Stadio San Siro, so don’t be surprised to see him score in this one.
AC Milan vs Pescara: Betting tips
Over 2.5 goals at 8/13 (1.62)
Carlos Bacca to score anytime – YES at 4/6 (1.67)
Both teams to score – NO at 19/20 (1.95).
