AC Milan V Lecce
Sunday 20 October 2019 – 19:45 Kick-Off
Italian Serie A
Pick: Both Teams to Score
Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: Betway
 |
1 | X | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21/50 | 15/4 | 13/2 |
* (All betting odds displayed were correct as of 17 October 2019 at 13:05)
Preview: The headlines in Italy were dominated by AC Milan during the international break, with the Serie A giants pulling the plug on one manager and quickly installing another. So, what are the chances of a new manager bounce occurring when the Rossoneri host lowly Lecce in Sunday’s evening kick-off?
Italian Football Betting – 22Bet
AC Milan Preview – Can Pioli rejuvenate this floundering side?
It seems the hierarchy of AC Milan (13th – W3 D0 L4, GF6 GA9) had exhausted all patience for a manager hand-picked by themselves in the summer to usher in a new era. The football under Marco Giampaolo was both dull and uninspiring, so it came as no real surprise when he was shown the door even after overseeing a 2-1 win away to Genoa in the final match prior to the international break. Former Inter Milan manager, Stefano Pioli, assumes the helm and appears to have his work cut out.
Not even a fortuitous victory away to struggling Genoa was enough to convince those in charge that Giampaolo was deserving of more time. That was a game in which Milan benefited enormously from the home side being reduced to ten men early into the second half but were still reliant on goalkeeper Pepe Reina saving a stoppage time penalty to ensure the win. Despite boasting the numerical advantage, a draw would have been a much fairer outcome (xG: GEN 1.77 – 1.25 MIL).
That was a first league win in four matches for the Rossoneri, who had been beaten by Inter Milan (0-2), Torino (2-1) and Fiorentina (1-3) previously. Furthermore, an aspect the new manager needs to urgently address is the lack of goals produced by this side: only two teams have scored fewer than AC Milan’s figure of six, of which half were netted from the penalty spot. That is a galling statistic for a squad blessed with an array of attacking riches.
Lecce Preview – Another lively away showing forthcoming?
One of a trio of newly-promoted clubs, Lecce (18th – W2 D0 L5, GF7 GA15) are back in the country’s top division for the first time in seven years after finishing as the runners-up in Serie B for 2018/19. Yet they have started the poorest, losing five of their opening seven matches to sit second-from-bottom in the standings. The last thing needed then is a trip to AC Milan, whom they have failed to avoid defeat against in their previous eight encounters as the visiting side.
Losing in Atalanta prior to the international break, going down 3-1 in a game they were completely dominated in (xG: ATA 4.17 – 1.28 LEC), made it two consecutive defeats in Serie A, losing narrowly at home by AS Roma (0-1) a week earlier. Victory here, at the San Siro, would stop the rot as well as lift them out of the relegation zone, but there isn’t an awful lot to suggest they are capable of performing such a feat.
However, Lecce have been a more productive outfit on their travels – although that does contrast rather sharply to last season, when they collected a large bulk of their points at home (43 at home, 23 away). All six of their points thus far were earned on the road, in victories over Torino (1-2) and SPAL (1-3). Club captain Marco Mancosu played a starring role in those triumphs and is currently their leading marksman with four strikes (though three were penalties).
AC Milan V Lecce Key Facts:
- AC Milan halted a three-game losing streak by beating Genoa (1-2) in their last game, but have still endured a poor campaign (W3 D0 L4).
- Lecce have suffered defeats in their last two Serie A matches but have won two of their four away fixtures (W2 L2).
- This has been a fixture utterly dominated by AC Milan through the years, winning the previous eight contests when they have hosted Lecce in Serie A.
Betting Summary
On the face of it, Stefano Pioli could not have asked for a better fixture to announce himself as AC Milan manager. The Rossoneri have won on the previous eight occasions they have hosted Lecce in Serie A. However, this Milan team are not in good shape, hence why a managerial change was needed in the first place, with a talented squad averaging less than a goal per game and losing more often than they’ve won (W3 L4).
The step up to Serie A has not exactly been the smoothest for Lecce, who have avoided defeat on just two occasions so far (W2 L5) but can at least take some encouragement, with regards to this match-up anyway, from the fact both their successes did come away from home. Furthermore, they have scored at least one goal in each of their previous three away matches.
AC Milan are very short for a team whose form this season has been erratic. This is, however, a fixture they have utilised to good effect over the years. The new manager will almost certainly demand more from an attacking perspective, but Lecce have actually managed more goals on their travels than Milan have altogether. Both, meanwhile, have received their fair share of penalties: AC Milan are 5/1 to score one with Bet365, with Lecce 12/1 in the same market.
