AC Milan vs Monza prediction: ITALY: Serie A betting tips on match 2022-10-21 16:00.
For the first time since becoming AC Milan’s owner in 1986, Silvio Berlusconi returns to his old stomping ground in Serie A (SA) as an opponent, with the now-Monza owner having overseen a whopping 29 trophies during his 31-year long Milan reign. The Rossoneri have quickly adapted to life without the former Italian Prime Minister as they are the defending SA champions and have won five of the last six SA matches (L1) in their attempt to protect their crown.
Milan’s last home outing saw Stefano Pioli’s men lose 2-0 to Chelsea in UEFA Champions League action, and improving their form at the San Siro remains high on Pioli’s agenda, as that was their second defeat across the last three home matches. The visit of Monza seems to be a great opportunity to remedy that run given Milan have won ten of their last 12 home SA matches played against promoted teams, keeping nine clean sheets in the process, including in each of the last six.
After three consecutive clean sheet victories, Monza suffered their first league defeat in the Raffaele Palladino era, losing 1-0 against Empoli last Saturday. The SA newcomers should still make their joint-shortest trip of this SA season of approximately 25 kilometres in a buoyant mood on the back of just one defeat in their previous five league outings (W3, D1), despite registering five losses in a row to kick-off their maiden top-flight season.
Their away performances haven’t quite been so convincing though, as Monza have won just once in SA on the road this term (D1, L3). Further fuelling belief that a long evening awaits, Monza have lost both their trips so far played against opposition that finished in the SA top six last season (Roma and Napoli) by a combined 7-0 scoreline, suggesting the underdog tag isn’t one Monza carry particularly well against SA’s big hitters.
Players to watch: Attack-minded left-back Theo Hernández has scored three goals across Milan’s last six home league matches against promoted teams. Meanwhile, formerly of Inter Milan, Monza’s Stefano Sensi has won on six of his last seven goal-scoring club appearances (D1) including three at this very stadium.
Hot stat: Five of Milan’s seven home competitive matches this season (W5, L2) have seen goals in both halves.