AC Milan host Benfica in what looks to be one of the stand-out ties on matchday one in the UEFA Europa League.
Milan have made an unbeaten start in Serie A under new coach Ruben Amorim, although two draws in their last two after initially winning their first two games, means they are only sixth in the early table.
Benfica are in fine form, winning their last seven games in all competitions, and have had to come through three qualifying rounds to take their place in the competition proper this season.
AC Milan v Benfica Tips Summary
Best Bet - AC Milan to win @ 5/4
Alternative Bet - Vangelis Pavlidis to score or assist @ 20/21
Bet Builder - Over 2 goals, Benfica to win most corners & Both teams to receive a card @ 18/5
AC Milan v Benfica Prediction
Best Bet: AC Milan to win @ 5/4
Milan are favourites on Wednesday but this has the makings of a close-run thing at the San Siro.
Benfica have been up and running competitively since July 23, and have already played six games in the Europa League to progress to this stage.
They also approach the tie in red-hot form and are sure to make life difficult for the Rossoneri.
However, the hosts are backed to edge it as they should be able to rely on some key men to help them kick off their Euro campaign with a victory.
Belgian midfielder Diego Moreira was their hero at the weekend as he scored twice in the second half to rescue a point against Lazio, while France star Adrien Rabiot and wily USA forward Christian Pulisic were the creative sparks in the game as they provided the assists.
Those three, plus the vastly-experienced Luka Modric and former Chelsea man Ruben Loftus-Cheek, should ensure Milan have enough big-game knowhow to overcome the Portuguese giants.
That is not to say the visitors will not impose themselves on proceedings. Benfica's confidence must be sky-high due to their impressive early-season form, but beating St Gallen, Hearts and Aarhus is one thing, going to the San Siro and getting a result is another.
Alternative Bet: Vangelis Pavlidis to score or assist @ 20/21
Marco Silva has immediately got a tune out of his players folllowing his summer arrival from Fulham and the Eagles have enough quality in the shape of Vangelis Pavlidis to make an impact in this opening league phase fixture.
The Greek forward has had a sensational start to the season, scoring 14 goals and registering three assists in 11 appearances in all competitions.
Admittedly, some of those goals have come against perceived weaker opposition in the qualifying rounds and facing Milan away is a bit of a different prospect.
However, the 27-year-old is clearly in peak form and with confidence levels soaring he is fancied to either score or assist again in midweek.
AC Milan v Benfica Bet Builder Tip
Over 2 total goals
Benfica to win most corners
Both teams to receive a card
Pays @ 18/5
This should be a competitive tie and it seems likely we will see at least three goals at the San Siro.
Each of Benfica's last seven matches have featured three goals or more, while two of Milan's games so far this season have ended with three or more goals being scored.
The next leg is for the visitors to win the most corners.
The Eagles have been a fluid attacking unit this season under Silva and average 9.5 corners per game (across their last 10), while Milan's corner stats are not as high - the Italians only average 7.2 corners in their last 10 games.
And adding in both teams to receive a card is the final leg with this eagerly-contested game expected to produce a bit of rough-and-tumble in the middle of the park.
Milan average exactly two bookings per game this season, picking up eight in total in four games, while Benfica average over one card per-game domestically, having received nine in their six league games.
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Key Match Stats
AC Milan are unbeaten this season (W2, D2)
Benfica have won their last seven matches in all competitions
The Eagles have scored 37 goals in 11 competitive fixtures since July 23
Milan are seven-times European champions but have never lifted the UEFA Cup/Europa League
Benfica won the old European Cup twice but also have never triumphed in this competition
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
