AC Milan vs Empoli: Match Preview, Team News, Predicted XI | Serie A 2018-19
AC Milan will host relegation-threatened Empoli at the San Siro today as the Rossoneri look to consolidate their fourth position.
The victory over Atalanta last weekend opened up a 4 point gap between AC Milan and the sixth-placed Atlanta. The Rossoneri is now just 4 points off their arch-rivals Inter Milan while maintaining just a single point lead over AS Roma. Gennaro Gattuso and his men have been undefeated in the league since Christmas and have wrapped up an impressive 9-match unbeaten streak. A victory today could see them reduce the gap between themselves and Inter Milan to a single point.
Empoli is on the borderline of the relegation and safety with the side sitting in the 18th place with just 3 points separating them from the drop zone. Giuseppe Iachini and his men have won just one of their last 10 league matches with their victory coming last over Sassuolo.
The first meeting between the sides in the league ended with the Rossoneri and Empoli scoring a goal each as the match ended 1-1 at the Carlo Castellani Stadium.
Team News
AC Milan
The Rossoneri will be without their Spanish winger after Suso picked up 5 yellow cards ruling him out of the next match with a suspension.
Long term absentee Giacomo Bonaventura is still out with Pepe Reina, Cristian Zapata and Mattia Caldara all alongside him in the injury list.
The Big news though is the return of Croatian defender Ivan Strinic with the full back finally returning after battling heart problems this season.
Empoli
Empoli has no new injury or suspensions to worry about with Lorenzo Polvani the only injured player on the list after the Italian suffered a ruptured ligament.
Probable Lineup
AC Milan (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Calabria, Musacchio, Romagnoli, Rodriguez; Bakayoko, Kessie, Paqueta; Castillejo, Calhanoglu, Piatek.
Empoli (3-5-2):Dragowski; Veseli, Dell’Orco, Silvestre; Di Lorenzo, Acquah, Bennacer, Krunic, Pasqual; Captuo, Farlas.