Lille Vs AC Milan
Lille Vs AC Milan Thursday 26th November 2020 – 17:55 (kick-off)
UEFA Europa League Group H
Pick: AC Milan Win or Draw & Both Teams to Score (Double Chance & BTTS)
Odds: 6/4
Bookmaker: Betway
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 24th November 2020)
Preview: Following their 3-0 loss at the San Siro, AC Milan will set out to avenge the outcome of their Matchday 3 meeting with Lille when the sides converge on Stade Pierre Mauroy for a contest which pits the top two in Group H against each other.
UEFA Europa League Betting at Bet365
Table of Contents
Lille Preview – Ligue 1 outfit in form and on top of group?
Les Douges (W2 D1) are shaping up as a threat on all fronts this season, something they were unable to achieve last term when a winless campaign in the Champions League was further compounded by a fourth place finish in Ligue 1. Subsequently, this meant a first term in the Europa League proper since 2014/15, when the club from northern France bowed out without recording a single victory.
It would be an understatement to merely claim Lille are faring much better this time around, but it is undoubtedly true. In Europe, Christophe Galtier’s charges sit atop Group H having just beaten an AC Milan side previously unbeaten for 24 competitive matches, while back in France they are in close pursuit of leaders PSG. All in all, they have won eight of fourteen fixtures in 2020/21, losing only once (W8 D5 L1).
Turkish international Yusuf Yazici has earned plenty of plaudits for his ruthless displays of finishing so far, bagging successive away hat-tricks, but is yet to score here at the Stade Pierre Mauroy in Europe. The skilful playmaker has clearly added a deadly streak to his own game though, and can now aid his club in resetting their long winless home run in European competition, which currently stands at thirteen (D6 L7).
AC Milan Preview – Rossoneri need solution to Zlatan dependency?
The Rossoneri (W2 L1) are seeking to readdress the balance of power in Group H after their rather unexpected 3-0 loss to the French side in Italy last time. Worryingly, that was with their talisman and focal point, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, in fit and firing form and among the initial starters. That is unlikely to be the case on Thursday, however, with the Swede currently nursing a hamstring injury.
A side shorn of Zlatan, who took his tally since returning for a second spell at the club in December 2019 to 20 goals in just 24 appearances, simply won’t look as intimidating to opposition. It is now down to the remaining cast therefore – in particular Jens Petter Hauge, Ante Rebic and Hakan Calhanoglu – to ensure there is indeed life beyond a 39-year-old who cannot be around forever to ensure standards are maintained.
Zlatan’s parting gift was scoring twice in Naples on Sunday, as Milan consolidated top spot in Serie A with a 3-1 victory away to Napoli. A tenth win in fourteen (W10 D3 L1) across all competitions this term, having lost only once – to Lille last time out in this group – in their past 27 matches. Meanwhile, their overall away record in the Europa League group stage is W3 D2 L2, with all three victories coming on Matchday 1.
Don’t miss out on other Betting Tips & Predictions
Click here for more Betting Tips
Lille Vs AC Milan Betting Advice
While Lille prevailing at the San Siro may have come as a shock to some, it was nothing less than the French side deserved (xG: MIL 1.09 – 1.68 LIL). Les Douges have now lost only once across all competitions in 2020/21, winning eight, while nobody has bested them at home so far with four wins and three draws. Yet Celtic stunned them here earlier in the group, earning a 2-2 draw after scoring twice before half-time.
Lille Vs AC Milan – Key Facts:
- All four of Lille‘s wins at home in 2020/21 were to nil, with their remaining three encounters at Stade Pierre Mauroy ending in score-draws.
- Each of AC Milan‘s past five away fixtures have seen both teams score, winning four, with the Rossoneri seeing clean sheets dry up: one accrued from last eight games.
- With a 3-0 victory in Italy last time out in the group, Lille (W2 D1) moved a point clear of AC Milan (W2 L1) at the top of Group H.
Preparations for this return encounter have not gone well for AC Milan in terms of team news, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic – so integral to the transformation of a team that was floundering in mid-table mediocrity in Serie A upon his arrival late last year – joining Rafael Leao on the sidelines. However, there is enough quality and momentum behind them (W10 D3 L1 in 2020/21) to confidently say they can still compete in France.
Best Betting Odds – Lille Vs AC Milan
Lille – 7/5 (Unibet)
Draw – 21/10 (Betfair)
AC Milan – 12/5 (BetFred)
