AC Milan vs Cremonese prediction: ITALY: Serie A betting tips on match 2023-05-02 19:00.
Two goals in second-half stoppage time, culminating in a 97th-minute AC Milan equaliser, secured a 1-1 draw against Roma on Saturday. Although that result extended their unbeaten competitive run (W3, D4), the fact four teams from fourth to seventh are separated by just two points ahead of the round means it has had very little impact in Milan’s push for a Serie A (SA) top-four finish. Boss Stefano Pioli felt that the draw was “not the result” they wanted ahead of a crucial set of games that sees them come up against Lazio in SA and city rivals Inter in the Champions League semi-finals.
This could perhaps see Pioli rotate his squad against a lowly Cremonese, against whom Milan have won each of their seven top-flight home H2Hs. The Rossoneri should be able to bank on their defensive strength to once again help extend that record, having kept four clean sheets across their last five SA home games (W3, D2).
Although Cremonese held onto a goalless draw in the reverse fixture, the last time they faced AC Milan at the San Siro in May 1996, it ended in one of their heaviest-ever defeats (7-1). That certainly won’t inspire confidence for a side who failed to make their lead count against fellow relegation strugglers Verona on Sunday (D 1-1). Although coach Davide Bellardini said they “played an excellent game”, Cremonese remained seven points adrift of safety at the end of the last round, but with the Coppa Italia no longer a distraction, there now aren’t any excuses for taking their eye off the ball.
Any hopes of a miraculous late surge to safety will need them to improve their away record, having won just six points on the road this calendar year (W1, D3, L4). But with four of those points secured despite conceding the match opener, Cremonese have proved they’ve got the stomach for the fight, however late in the season it may be.
Players to watch: Milan’s Alexis Saelemaekers loves having the final say on proceedings having scored the last goal with three of his four strikes this season. Cremonese will hope David Okereke can have a say prior to that and he’s scored the match opener with four of his last five club goals.
Hot streak: Milan’s last six SA matches have seen the half-time result replicated at full-time.