Slavia Prague vs AC Milan prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – Play Offs betting tips on match 2024-03-13 17:45.
[p]After a 4-2 humbling which included an early red card in the first leg, Czech title chasers Slavia Prague need a big response if they are to reach the quarter final of a European competition for the first time since 2020/21. The Czech outfit must recapture the kind of form that saw them win five of their six UEFA Europa League (UEL) group games if they’re to progress here, especially seeing as four came with the now-required multi-goal margin.[/p]
[p]One of those big victories came against Roma, a 2-0 success which if replicated would force extra time here. Such an outcome certainly isn’t guaranteed as Slavia were winless in eight straight games against Italian sides prior to that group stage win (D3, L5), although a positive home record against such opponents should offer a psychological boost at the very least (W4, D2, L2).[/p]
[p]Putting a dent in that record and earning progression is the minimum expectation for last season’s Champions League semi-finalists, AC Milan. The Rossoneri have kept nine clean sheets across their last 13 encounters with Czech opposition, but they will be wary after going out at this stage in each of their last two UEL adventures, with both teams scoring in both away legs across those ties (D1, L1).[/p]
[p]Another tough trip awaits for Milan, whose only victory across their last seven continental away matches was a 2-1 group stage victory in Newcastle (D3, L3). Although results haven’t always been there for Milan, entertainment has, as Stefano Pioli’s men haven’t played out a stalemate across their last six competitive trips (W3, L3), whilst four of the last five saw both teams score and at least four total goals in the game![/p]
[p]Players to watch: There were a matter of mere minutes between Ivan Schranz’s introduction and his 65th minute goal in the first leg, which was his fifth European strike in eight such appearances for Slavia this season. Milan’s Olivier Giroud hit the opener in that game, meaning three of his last four goals on the European stage served to break the deadlock. [/p]
[p]Hot stat: Milan have progressed from 40 of the 46 UEFA competition ties when winning the first leg at home. [/p]