Empoli to test league leaders' nerve at San Siro
With ten games remaining AC Milan sit top of Serie A two points clear of Inter Milan, having played one game more, after a huge 1-0 win over Napoli at Stadio Armando Diego Maradona.
Olivier Giroud scored the only goal of the game to give Stefano Pioli’s men a bit of breathing space on Gli Azzurri, although even at this stage of the season, they are expected to make way for Inter to retain the Scudetto.
Empoli have enjoyed an assured first season since promotion from the second tier and will be relishing the occasion of travelling to the league leaders.
Process
Milan have been very solid at the back this season, as have the majority of the sides at the top of the table, and will be confident of keeping it tight despite the visitors enjoying an enterprising season of mid table mediocrity.
Milan have conceded just 29 goals from 28 games and have allowed chances equating to just 1.08 expected goals (xG) against per game.
An overperformance in the final third has been a huge factor in Milan’s title bid and a regression in their finishing between now and the end of the season is to be expected.
Empoli have kept just two clean sheets in their last ten and could provide low hanging fruit at the San Siro.
The pressure of leading Serie A may cause some tension with Milan, and that could see some cautiousness in attack and for Pioli to be a little more pragmatic in pushing for the three points.
Goals?
Combining an unders play with an outright one seems to be the most sensible way in given the element of unpredictability with Milan’s opponents, and the fact they have unsustainably overperformed going forward.
Milan have scored in eight of ten.
Milan have conceded in five of ten.
Milan have seen both teams score in five of ten.
Milan have seen over 2.5 goals in four of ten.
Empoli have scored in seven of ten.
Empoli have conceded in eight of ten.
Empoli have seen both teams score in seven of ten.
Empoli have seen over 2.5 goals in five of ten.
Milan are comfortably the better side but the youthful nature of their squad could work against them in the pressure moments.
Empoli definitely have an opportunity to frustrate the home crowd.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
1-0 Milan, a huge result for the hosts.