AC Milan vs Newcastle predictions: Champions League tips and odds
Our betting expert has three AC Milan vs Newcastle tips for the Champions League game at the San Siro on Tuesday (kick-off, 5.45pm BST). Scroll down to see the analysis behind his selections.
AC Milan vs Newcastle betting tips
- Rafael Leao to score or assist @ 13/10 with Paddy Power
- Bet builder – Newcastle to commit 13 or more fouls and Theo Hernandez to attempt 70 or more passes @ 5/1 with Paddy Power
Odds correct at time of publishing and subject to change.
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San Siro a stronghold for Milan
Newcastle United will have to be at their very best when they take on seven-times European champions Milan in their opening Group F match.
The Magpies, back at European football’s top table for the first time in 20 years, are in this season’s toughest group, which also includes Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund.
Although Milan are not the force of old, the Rossoneri reached the semi-finals last year after beating Tottenham Hotspur and Napoli in the knockout stages.
Stefano Pioli’s side were beaten 5-1 by Inter in Saturday’s Milan derby but have an excellent recent record when they get the home dressing rooms at the San Siro.
They won four of their six home European ties last season and a Serie A record of 13 wins, four draws and only two defeats at the famous stadium ensured they clinched fourth spot last season.
That looks rock solid when compared to the Magpies’ recent away record of three defeats, two draws and only one win — at Everton — from their past six competitive away games.
AC Milan vs Newcastle tip 1: AC Milan to win @ 6/4 with Paddy Power
Leao can be a handful for Trippier
Milan’s crushing derby defeat exposed a number of flaws in defence and midfield, while there remains an over-reliance on 36-year-old Olivier Giroud up front.
The Frenchman created the Rossoneri’s two best chances of the match, setting up Rafael Leao for the goal that briefly made things interesting at the start of the second half.
Leao has the pace and directness to give any defender a problem and his battle with Kieran Trippier could be one of the keys to the game on Tuesday.
Milan will certainly be looking to feed the Portuguese, who scored 15 goals and had eight assists in Serie A last season, especially if the full-back creeps too far forward.
AC Milan vs Newcastle tip 2: Rafael Leao to score or assist @ 13/10 with Paddy Power
Milan will look to put referee under pressure
Milan are likely to have the lion’s share of possession in this one and Newcastle’s players could be asked to make more than a few tackles as a result.
The Italian side’s players will not be shy about attempting to win fouls and the crowd will no doubt try to put the referee under pressure to give decisions their way.
In last season’s run to the Champions League semi-finals, Milan players were fouled on average 12.5 times per game, but their opponents committed 13 or more in four of the six San Siro clashes.
Along with the Magpies to commit 13 or more fouls, adding Theo Hernandez to attempt 70 or more passes boosts this bet builder.
Milan’s French defender has attempted 70 or more passes in his previous two Serie A games and during his most recent Champions League appearance.
AC Milan vs Newcastle tip 3: Bet builder – Newcastle to commit 13 or more fouls and Theo Hernandez to attempt 70 or more passes @ 5/1 with Paddy Power
AC Milan vs Newcastle odds
Odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
