AC Milan vs Lille Prediction & Betting Tips - Europa League

Prediction published on 03/11/2020, 08:35  by James | Modified on 03/11/2020 at 09:35 in Europa League Predictions

Two teams with long unbeaten runs collide when AC Milan host Lille at the San Siro in the Europa League on Thursday night. Milan are top of Group H after winning both of their opening two matches. The Serie A giants kicked things off with a 3-1 win away to Celtic before sweeping Sparta Prague aside in a 3-0 win at home. Top of Serie A, Milan are enjoying a glorious unbeaten run of 24 games in all competitions. Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been the catalyst of that tremendous streak, the 39-year-old scoring eight goals in seven appearances in all competitions this season. Lille are second in the group after opening with an impressive 4-1 win at Sparta Prague before coming back from two goals down to draw 2-2 at home against Celtic. Also second in Ligue 1, Lille are unbeaten in 11 games in all competitions. While that record is worth boasting about, they are simultaneously winless in three after a series of stalemates.

The clubs have met before in European competition, back in 2006 in the group stage of the Champions League. Milan picked up a point in Lille but fell victim to defeat on home soil when the French side won 2-0. It worked out okay for Milan, who went on to win the competition that year. Lille have won three and lost none of their last five away matches in all competitions. The triumph in Prague ended a dismal run of 13 away games in the Europa League without a win. Milan have been brilliant at home for a while now, only losing one of their last 21 home games in all competitions, a run that includes 13 victories from their 15 outings. Milan have scored freely at home for months too, finding the back of the net at least three times in eight of their last ten home fixtures. Now firmly title contenders and with one foot already in the knockout stage, we foresee Stefano Pioli making a lot of changes to his line-up. Although they are in the winning habit, he won't ask his players to overly exert themselves. We suggest backing a draw.