AC Milan Vs Lille
AC Milan Vs Lille Thursday 5th November 2020 – 20:00 Kick-Off
UEFA Europa League Group H
Pick: Over 2.5 Goals
Odds: 4/5
Bookmaker: Boylesports
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 2nd November 2020)
Preview: Arguably the strongest duo in Group H are on a collision course for the San Siro Thursday, as early section leaders AC Milan look to make it three wins from three in the group stage at the expense of a Lille side only two points worse off in second.
UEFA Europa League Betting at Bet365
Table of Contents
AC Milan Preview – Rossoneri attack best in Europe right now?
It has been light work in Group H for the seven-time European champions. Beginning with a trip to Glasgow to face Scottish league title holders Celtic, the Rossoneri were in ruthless mood, scoring three times in a 3-1 scoreline at Celtic Park. The Hoops certainly put up more of a fight than Czech outfit Sparta Prague, who were outclassed here in Milan a week ago in a comfortable 3-0 success for the hosts.
Aside from conceding in Scotland, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic misfiring from the penalty spot against the Czechs, it has been perfection thus far from Stefano Pioli and his resurgent AC Milan side. Sunday’s gritty Serie A victory away to Udinese extending their lengthy unbeaten record across all competitions to 24 – a run which reaches back into March in a time before lockdowns and self-isolations became prevalent.
Remarkably, Milan have scored two or more in all eleven matches in 2019-20 (W9 D2), netting exactly three on six occasions. This includes four of the last six. It will therefore provide for fascinating viewing watching them go about unlocking the second-best defensive unit in France. Expect fireworks whatever happens: each of their last seven matches have gone Over 2.5 Goals, with Both Teams to Score landing in five.
Lille Preview – Defence now open for business?
Having brushed aside last season’s Czech cup winners Sparta Prague with supreme ease, capitalising on the fact their hosts were comprised following an early dismissal to record a 4-1 victory in the Czech capital, Lille were then caught unawares by Scottish champions Celtic. Trailing 2-0 at the half-time interval, Les Douges would deliver a rousing second-half display to score twice and salvage a 2-2 draw.
Nevertheless, last week has to go down as a missed opportunity by Christophe Galtier and his team to strengthen their qualification claims. Particularly with their away record in Europe failing to stand up to much scrutiny. In fact, prior to winning away to Sparta Prague on Matchday 1, the club from northern France were without a win on the road in UEFA club competitions in their previous eight attempts (D2 L6).,
Furthermore, the early momentum has been allowed to subside. Sunday’s sharing of the spoils with Lyon, drawing 1-1 at home, means they have now drawn their past three matches in league and Europe – all of which score draws. There has clearly been a drop-off defensively, meanwhile: since registering five clean sheets through the first seven games, Lille have gone four without one, including both games in this group.
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AC Milan Vs Lille Betting Advice
The best team in Italy at this particular juncture meets the second-best side from France. Both have embarked on tremendous 2020-21 campaigns thus far although it is AC Milan who arrive on Thursday in better shape. The Italians have won nine of eleven matches this season, all the while scoring at more than two a game. However, Lille are expected to provide stoic resistance having not lost all season (W6 D5).
AC Milan Vs Lille – Key Facts
- Group H leaders AC Milan have won both matches to date, scoring three times against Celtic (1-3, a) and Sparta Prague (3-0, h). They’ve not lost a competitive fixture since March (24 games).
- In second place are Lille, on four points, following a win and a draw against Sparta Prague (1-4, a) and Celtic (2-2, h) respectively.
- The French side prevailed in their only previous European interaction, when following up a 0-0 draw in France by winning 2-0 in Milan during the 2007-08 Champions League group stage.
I’m pleasantly surprised the goal markets are so generously priced considering everything we know and have seen regarding these sides, especially more recently. All of the last seven games involving AC Milan have gone Over 2.5, five of which consisted of both teams scoring, while Lille, who have not failed to register a goal in any match this season, have both scored and conceded in each of their last four encounters.
Best Betting Odds – AC Milan Vs Lille
AC Milan – 8/11 (BetFred)
Draw – 3/1 (Betfair)
Lille – 19/5 (BetVictor)
