Newcastle vs AC Milan prediction: EUROPE: Champions League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2023-12-12 20:00.
This is a huge final game in UEFA Champions League Group F, with Newcastle United and AC Milan both knowing that only a win will give them any chance of progressing to the next stage of the competition. As it stands, both sides sit on five points, two behind second-placed Paris Saint-Germain who travel away to a Borussia Dortmund side who have already sealed qualification in what was considered by many to be âthe group of deathâ.
Eddie Howeâs side will come into this decisive contest having suffered comprehensive defeats in their past two Premier League matches away at Everton (3-0) and Tottenham (4-1). Returning back to St Jamesâ Park should give them a lift at least, as should a standout record of just one defeat in their last 16 home European contests (W10, D5), even if that one loss did come in their most recent home UCL encounter against leaders Dortmund.
AC Milan also suffered defeat on the road this past weekend at Atalanta (3-2), yet coming back from behind twice before conceding deep into stoppage time did at least illustrate the fighting spirit in Stefano Pioliâs outfit. They will need to show much more of that courage in this crunch clash, as they bid to improve on a record of just one victory in their last 12 matches against English clubs (D3, L8).
The seven-time competition winners couldnât get the better of their hosts at home on matchday one (0-0), despite largely dominating the matchup, which contributed to an unremarkable record of failing to win 22 of their last 30 UCL matches. On top of that, youâd have to go back to October 2022 for Milanâs last away win in the competition, with just one goal scored in the five UCL road trips since (D3, L2)!
Players to watch: Anthony Gordon has bagged second-half goals in each of Newcastleâs last three home matches, while scorer from the past weekend, Milan forward Olivier Giroud, will hope to add to his favourable personal record of one defeat in 15 personal H2Hs with the hosts (W13, D1 – G9, A2).
Hot stat: No side in the UCL group stage has scored fewer combined goals than Milanâs three.