AC Milan v Arsenal Predictions & Betting Odds – 8th March 2018

In-form Rossoneri to open up first leg advantage

Arsenal
Arsenal © GEPA pictures

AC Milan v Arsenal Betting Preview – UEFA Europa League 8th March 7.45pm

A tough situation for Arsenal as this is their last shot at some silverware for the season, but they are going into the first leg of this round of sixteen tie, out of form and facing a really tough opponent. While the Gunners are looking a bit of a mess at the moment, AC Milan have really found their feet in current form and will have high spirits after winning the Milan derby on the weekend too.

AC Milan News and Form

This will be the 13th game for AC Milan in this season’s UEFA Europa League. So it’s been a long road. They topped their group as they were expected to do so and then beat Ludogorets 4-0 on aggregate in the round of 32. The Rossoneri holds a W11 D11 L12 record overall against English clubs in UEFA competition which is average, but looking at their home form it gets better. AC Milan are W8 D4 L3 at home against English opponents, but each of the three defeats in that sequence have all been in their last four games.

AC Milan v Arsenal 2018 Infographic

Actually, it was Arsenal they faced in their last home game against an English side, back in the 2011/12 round of sixteen and Milan won 4-0. The Italians have posted a tremendous W13 D6 L1 record in their last twenty home European games and are W5 D1 at the San Siro this term. However, AC Milan have won just three of their last eight knockout stage games at home in Europe. Their current form at the San Siro this season is great, having gone W4 D1 in their last five there, shipping only one goal in that sequence. They are actually unbeaten in twelve home and away, and have not conceded in any of their last six. AC Milan to win to nil at bet365 is at 13/5 odds* (Betting Odds taken at 02:11 a.m. on March 5th, 2018).

Arsenal News and Form

The Gunners are having a poor patch of form at the moment and have lost each of their last four games in all competitions, which started with a shock home defeat against Swedish minnows Ostersunds in the second leg of their Europa League round of 32 tie. The Gunners have conceded at least two goals in each of their last four games now but in the bet365 correct score market the shortest period option at 11/2 is a 1-1 draw while an AC Milan 1-0 win is at 7/1* (Betting Odds taken at 02:11 a.m. on March 5th, 2018). It has been six defeats in their last eight games in all competitions now that Arsene Wenger’s troops have suffered and they have gone W1 D2 L5 in their last eight games away from home in all competitions. They have shown good away form this season in Europe though with a W5 L1 record on the road, and this is the 19th season in a row the Gunners have been playing European action in spring, but the first time ever in the Europa League as this is their debut campaign. The Gunners have exited Europe at the round of sixteen stage in each of their last seven seasons. Arsenal’s record in Italy is W5 D4 L6.

AC Milan v Arsenal Head to Head

Prior to this season, there had been two previous meetings between Arsenal and AC Milan both in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 in the 2007/08 and 2011/12 seasons. Arsenal won the first meeting 2-0 on aggregate and lost the second 4-3 on aggregate. But they did also meeting in the 1995 UEFA Super Cup which AC Milan won 2-0 on aggregate so technically they are up in the head to head.

AC Milan v Arsenal Betting Odds*

AC Milan even money, Draw 5/2, Arsenal 13/5* (Betting Odds taken at 02:11 a.m. on March 5th, 2018)

AC Milan v Arsenal Predictions

The value is all with the Italians in this one on home soil. They are just in very good form at the moment and can take down a disjointed Arsenal. The Gunners may once again find themselves outworked and outclassed and a home win looks the solid bet to roll with in this first leg.