Prediction: Barcelona vs AC Milan
Verdict: Barcelona draw no bet
Best Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Two squads who will be looking to extend on their respective summer flurries in the early hours of Wednesday, Barcelona and AC Milan will meet at the M&T Bank Stadium.
Barcelona
Starting with Barcelona, while the Spanish giants might have relinquished their La Liga crown last season, they do appear to be enjoying life under the guidance of new boss Hansi Flick. Signing off the 2023/24 campaign by winning each of their final four top-flight appearances by an aggregate score of 9-1, the former Bayern Munich manager has seen his squad enjoy quite the summer flurry. Laying down a real pre-season marker last weekend as they claimed a 2-1 win against El Clasico rivals Real Madrid, the mood in Barca’s camp should be at a real high. Getting their summer preparations underway with a penalties victory against reigning Premier League champions Manchester City, Flick’s men have also found a clinical run in the final third.
Team News
Both still dealing with respective injury issues, the duo of Frenkie de Jong and EURO 24 winner Pedri have not travelled to the United States and will not play any part in midweek. Officially completing a move to Catalonia rivals Girona earlier in the week, former Southampton midfielder has left Flick’s squad.
Notching 19 La Liga strikes last season, attacking talisman Robert Lewandowski will spearhead Barca’s charge at the M&T Bank Stadium. Despite continued speculation over a potential move to Saudi Arabia this summer, Vitor Roque should play some part here.
AC Milan
As for AC Milan, although the Rossoneri might have limped their way over the finishing line last season, the Italian giants did cling to a silver medal finish. Now under the guidance of ex-Lille boss Paulo Fonseca, they should take plenty of positives away from an eye-catching week over in the United States. Snatching a 1-0 victory against defending European champions Real Madrid, AC Milan will be looking to collect another heavyweight Spanish scalp in the early hours of Wednesday. Laying down a major summer statement of intent on July 27th as they secured an action-packed 3-2 win against Manchester City, Fonseca’s new squad will be excited by the prospect of another stern examination at the M&T Bank Stadium in midweek.
Team News
While Spain skipper Alvaro Morata might have arrived from Atletico Madrid last month, the 31-year-old has not travelled over to the United States and will not make his AC Milan debut here. Likewise, fellow summer recruit Strahinja Pavlovic is also waiting to meet up with Fonseca’s squad.
Despite recent speculation over a potential Premier League return this summer, former Chelsea starlet Fikayo Tomori will start at the heart of the Rossoneri’s defence. Enjoying what was a stellar Serie A campaign last season after registering 20 goal contributions, USA international Christian Pulisic will get some more minutes under his belt.
Key Factors to Consider
When Barcelona and AC Milan met for a pre-season friendly at the Allegiant Stadium last summer, the Spanish giants collected a 1-0 victory.
Barca have lost just one of their previous five meetings against the Rossoneri across all competitions.
Continuing on from last season, Barcelona have won all of their previous seven appearances across all formats.
AC Milan recorded just a single victory from any of their final nine domestic appearances last season.
The Rossoneri recorded just a sole Serie A clean sheet since the start of April.
Conclusion
Enjoying what has become an eye-catching summer flurry, Barcelona will be looking to collect another heavyweight scalp in the early hours of Wednesday. Securing a 2-1 victory against historic rivals Real Madrid last weekend, Flick’s new squad will be excited by a trip to the M&T Bank Stadium here. Landing a 1-0 win when they met AC Milan for a pre-season friendly over in the United States last summer, we are backing a Barca draw no bet in midweek.
Verdict: Barcelona draw no bet
Best Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker: Dachbet
