Predictions, betting odds, lineups, preview

AC Milan have come to this with a varied recent run, but the draw at home to Juventus suggests they can stay organized against stronger opposition. Atalanta have also been inconsistent, with a goalless draw against Genoa following a narrow loss to Cagliari, so it doesn’t look like a game where either team will hit their stride.

The head-to-head record points to a close contest, with three of the last five meetings ending in draws or a single goal. AC Milan’s predicted 3-5-2 should give them enough bodies in midfield to compete, while Atalanta’s 3-4-1-2 can still create chances through Charles De Ketelaere between the lines. Match prediction: AC Milan 1-1 Atalanta

Forms guide and team overview

AC Milan

AC Milan’s recent form in La Liga has been spotty, with one win, one draw and three defeats in their last five. The most recent result was a 2-0 defeat at home to Sassuolo, which followed a 0-0 home draw with Juventus and a 1-0 home win at Hellas Verona.

Earlier, AC Milan lost 3-0 at home to Udinese and 1-0 at home to Napoli. That sequence suggests they have struggled to score in a number of those games, although the draw with Juventus shows they can still keep things tight.

AC Milan Last 5 results

Atalanta

Atalanta’s recent league results have also been uneven, with one win, two draws and two defeats in their last five. Their last match was a 0-0 draw at home to Genoa, following a 3-2 defeat by Càller.

Earlier in the run, Atalanta drew 1-1 at home to Roma, lost 1-0 at home to Juventus and beat Lecce 3-0 at home. This combination shows that they can still produce strong attacking performance, but their results have not been consistent enough to fully trust.

Atalanta Last 5 results

Team news and injury report

AC Milan

• Fikayo Tomori (indirect card suspension)

Atalanta

• Lorenzo Bernasconi (Internal ligament injury)

Alignments and tactical configuration

AC Milan (3-5-2)

Expected lineup: Mike Maignan (Goalkeeper), TBC (Defender), Matteo Gabbia (Defender), Strahinja Pavlović (Defender), Adrien Rabiot (Midfielder), Alexis Saelemaekers (Midfielder), Ardon Jashari (Midfielder), Pervis Estupiñán (Midfielder), Youssouf Fofana (Midfielder), Christopher Leao Attacker (NKundfield), Rafael (Midfielder)

AC Milan’s 3-5-2 should help them stay compact without the ball and give them extra numbers in central areas. With Christopher Nkunku and Rafael Leão in front of midfield, they have enough pace and movement to threaten on the break.

Atalanta (3-4-1-2)

Expected lineup: Marco Carnesecchi (Goalkeeper), Berat Djimsiti (Defender), Giorgio Scalvini (Defender), Honest Ahanor (Defender), Davide Zappacosta (Midfielder), Marten de Roon (Midfielder), Nicola Zalewski (Midfielder), Éderson (Midfielder), Charles De Ketelaere (Forward), (Forward), Nikola (Forward), (Forward)

Atalanta’s 3-4-1-2 gives Charles De Ketelaere a free role behind the forwards, which should help link midfield and attack. The wing back areas can still provide width, while the centre-forward pair give them a direct route into the box.

Battles and key players to watch