The Bianconeri have a golden opportunity to trump the out-of-form Champions, and draw level on points with them; the Rossoneri will be without Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Udinese will play hosts to AC Milan in matchday 23 encounter of the season on February 11, at 17:00 GMT.
The two teams have not been in the consistent of forms recently, performing well in some matches and disappointing in others. AC Milan’s last outing in the Serie A ended in a goalless draw against Napoli.
Udinese suffered a defeat at the hands of Fiorentina in a thrilling encounter last weekend. The Zebrette are only three points behind Milan in the Serie A standings.
Udinese
The Bianconeri enjoy a great record at home this season, having witnessed ten wins and a draw in the 11 games played at Stadio Friuli so far. This is the best home record of any Serie A outfit this season. Apart from the impressive
win record, Francesco Guidolin’s men have a remarkable defensive record at home this season, having conceded only five goals while playing on their own soil.
They will be looking to capitalise on the absence of Milan’s star striker, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Salvatore-Aronica-c32276.
Udinese’s last three matches have culminated in two losses with a win against Lecce sandwiched in between. The corresponding fixture of the last season finished as a goalless stalemate between the two sides.
A.C Milan
The Rossoneri have had a torrid time of late, and have started to lose grip in the title race. They have been troubled by on and off the field issues, and to pile even more misery, they come on the back of a defeat against Scudetto
rivals, Juventus, in Coppa Italia.
The Italian Champions enjoy the best away record in the ongoing season, having earned 20 points from 11 matches on the road. Their recent run form has been far from impressive, as they have not tasted a win in their last three
matches in all competitions.
Team News
Udinese
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Kwadwo-Asamoah-c21502 are still on the international duty.
Guidolin is likely to persist with a three-man defence, with five midfielders stuffed in the midfield. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Almen-Abdi-c5240 playing just behind him.
Probable starting XI: Handanovic, Ferronetti, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Danilo-c10159, Benatia, Basta, Isala, Pazienza, Fernandes, Armero, Di Natale, Abdi
AC Milan
The list of missing men continues to pile up for the Rossoneri, as they will be without host of first-team players. Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s three-match suspension adds salt to the wounds of the Champions, as they look depleted in
the attack.
Stephan El-Shaarawy is likely to hold onto his place in the starting line-up and will be partnered by misfiring, Robinho.
Probable Starting XI: Amelia, Abate, Mexes, Silva, Mesbah, Nocerino, Ambrosini, Emanuelson, Seedorf, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Robinho-c31382, El Shaarawy
Players to watch
Antonio Di Natale (Udinese)
The evergreen striker has been in prime form in the ongoing season, and is looking set to complete a hat-trick of golden boot award in the Serie A. The Italian international has amassed 16 goals so far this season. The 34-year-old
will need to be at his sharpest if the Bianconeri want to beat the Rossoneri.
Stephan El Shaarawy (AC Milan)
The rookie striker’s form has been one of the few positive things for the depleted Milan side recently. The Pharaoh scored the only goal for his team in their recent 2-1 defeat at the hands of Juventus. In the absence of Ibrahimovic,
it is an ideal opportunity for El-Shaarawy to prove his worth at the big stage.
Prediction
Despite the inconsistent recent form of both teams, Udinese look the stronger side going into the contest. Ibrahimovic’s absence will be a big blow to Milan’s chances of winning the game against a stubborn Bianconeri back-three.
Udinese’s five-man midfield poses a daunting challenge for Milan, who will rest their hopes with veterans, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Clarence-Seedorf-c9275. Focusing on the attack, there is no better player than Di Natale in big matches like this.
All in all, Udinese are strong favourites to win the game by at least two-goal margin.
Verdict: 2-0.
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