The lesser of two evils
AC Milan take on Tottenham Hotspur in a Champions League last 16 first leg on Tuesday evening at San Siro.
Things were going well for Milan at the start of the season, they were looking like Napoli’s biggest challengers in Serie A and qualified from their group, but Stefano Pioli’s men have been puzzling awful since the World Cup break and are not favourites to progress against an underperforming Spurs side.
Spurs have been awful and bailed out by key players over the course of the season, the Antonio Conte hire is not going to plan, and losing Rodrigo Bentancur due to injury for the rest of the season is a huge blow.
However, Milan even made Chelsea look good in the group stage and Spurs have been better than the Blues for all their shortcomings this term.
Background
Alessandro Florenzi and Mike Maignan are ruled out through injury for Milan, while Hugo Lloris, Ryan Sessegnon, Yves Bissouma are unavailable alongside Bentancur, with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg suspended.
Fikayo Tomori has missed the last three games for Milan, seeing both sides come into this match in very poor shape.
Conte has been more than happy to sit back and look to counter-attack sides this season, and I cannot see that approach changing at the San Siro.
It is hard to be too enamoured with Spurs, although they are the better side, given they may have to start with a central midfield pairing of Pape Matar Sarr and Oliver Skipp.
However, when push comes to shove, I am willing to side with Conte, his record in the Champions League has not been sparkling down the years, but he should be able to bring more out of this squad than their league form has shown.
Goals?
Milan have been very poor defensively of late, but I am more comfortable leaning on the Asian Handicap in the first leg.
Milan have scored in six of ten.
Milan have conceded in eight of ten.
Milan have seen both teams score in five of ten.
Milan have seen over 2.5 goals in seven of ten.
Spurs have scored in eight of ten.
Spurs have conceded in five of ten.
Spurs have seen both teams score in three of ten.
Spurs have seen over 2.5 goals in five of ten.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
1-0 Milan, still hope for Spurs.