AC Milan vs Feyenoord Prediction - Champions League
The Champions League is heating up as AC Milan hosts Feyenoord at the iconic San Siro on 18 February 2025. This second-leg clash in the Round of 16 sees Milan needing to overturn a 1-0 deficit from their first encounter in Rotterdam, where Igor Paixão netted the only goal.
With clear skies and a crisp temperature of 0°C, both teams must bring their A-game under the watchful eye of Polish referee Szymon Marciniak. AC Milan, coming off a 1-0 league win against Hellas Verona, hopes to utilize the home advantage and their ber squad, with key players like Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leão rested for this crucial match.
Feyenoord, however, boasts better European form and the bookies suggest betting on Feyenoord +0.50, with odds indicating a potential struggle for Milan to secure a win.
- Recommended bet: Feyenoord +0.50 (2.75).
- The weather will be cold with clear skies.
- Important players: Santiago Giménez for Milan and Igor Paixão for Feyenoord.
Can Milan turn it around, or will Feyenoord hold on to progress? All will be revealed soon!
AC Milan vs Feyenoord Prediction & Betting Tip
For this highly anticipated Champions League fixture, our recommended betting tip is Feyenoord +0.50 Asian Handicap at odds of 2.75.
| AC Milan vs. Feyenoord Prediction | |
|---|---|
| Betting Tip | Odds |
| Feyenoord +0.50 (Asian Handicap) | 2.75 |
Why this prediction is a good choice:
- Solid Defence: Feyenoord has managed 3 clean sheets in their last 5 games, showcasing their solid defensive structure.
- Previous Encounter: Feyenoord secured a 1-0 victory over AC Milan in their last encounter, giving them a psychological edge.
- Milan’s Struggles: With key players injured and an average of 1.3 goals conceded per game in this tournament, Milan may find it tough to dominate.
AC Milan vs Feyenoord Odds
As we gear up for this fascinating Champions League clash, the odds certainly indicate that AC Milan is the bookmakers’ favourite.
| AC Milan vs. Feyenoord Betting Odds | |
|---|---|
| Bet | Odds |
| AC Milan | 1.45 |
| Draw | 4.71 |
| Feyenoord | 6.58 |
While AC Milan is the favourite, Feyenoord’s robust defensive record and recent victory over Milan suggest the odds for them could offer tempting value for high-risk punters. This fixture will surely keep everyone on their toes!
AC Milan Team Analysis
AC Milan have had a mixed bag of results in their last five outings. Their latest victory against Hellas Verona, thanks to a decisive goal from Santiago Giménez, has boosted their morale despite some inconsistency. Unbeaten in their last four matches, Milan will be eager to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg against Feyenoord.
| Home team | Away team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| AC Milan | Verona | 1-0 (Win) |
| Feyenoord | AC Milan | 1-0 (Loss) |
| Empoli | AC Milan | 0-2 (Win) |
| AC Milan | Roma | 3-1 (Win) |
| AC Milan | Inter | 1-1 (Draw) |
AC Milan have averaged 1.40 goals per game in their last five fixtures but have managed just two clean sheets. Their defensive efforts will be crucial against a Feyenoord side that has scored in every match this season. With players like Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leão rested and ready, Milan will look to maintain their scoring form while tightening up at the back.
AC Milan Key Players
AC Milan’s key players include attackers like Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leão, who were rested in the last match to be in top form for this crucial tie. Another standout is Santiago Giménez, who has been making headlines and drawing comparisons to Andriy Shevchenko after scoring in his debut Serie A matches. Their midfield also boasts better performers, such as Youssouf Fofana and Tijjani Reijnders, who will be tasked with controlling the game’s tempo. In defense, Theo Hernandez and Kyle Walker provide both the experience and stability that Milan desperately needs to keep Feyenoord at bay. Expected lineup for AC Milan:
- Goalkeeper: Mike Maignan
- Defenders: Kyle Walker, Matteo Gabbia, Malick Thiaw, Theo Hernandez
- Midfielders: Youssouf Fofana, Tijjani Reijnders, Yunus Musah, Joao Felix, Riccardo Sottil
- Attackers: Santiago Giménez
AC Milan Suspensions & Injuries
AC Milan is grappling with a few injury challenges ahead of their critical Champions League match against Feyenoord. These absences might impact the team’s performance, particularly in defensive and midfield areas.
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Alessandro Florenzi | Cruciate ligament injury | Early April 2025 |
| Ruben Loftus-Cheek | Hamstring injury | Late February 2025 |
| Emerson Royal | Thigh injury | Late February 2025 |
These injuries mean that Milan will need to call upon their squad depth to cover these key positions, which could influence their overall strategy and performance against a well-prepared Feyenoord side. Coach Sergio Conceição will undoubtedly have to strategize efficiently to make up for these absences.
AC Milan Tactics and Formation
AC Milan Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Key Forward: Santiago Giménez
- Midfield Trio: Youssouf Fofana, Tijjani Reijnders, Yunus Musah
- Defensive Strength: Two clean sheets in the last five games
AC Milan will likely set up in their trusted 4-2-3-1 formation, a system designed to balance defensive solidity with attacking fluidity. Santiago Giménez, the current goal-scoring sensation, will lead the line.
Midfield responsibilities will be handled by Fofana, Reijnders, and Musah, who aim to control the tempo of the game while providing support to both the defense and attack. Full-backs Kyle Walker and Theo Hernandez will have the license to bomb forward.
Expect a high-tempo game plan, especially in the attacking third, as Milan aims to overturn the first-leg deficit and progress in the Champions League.
Feyenoord Team Analysis
Feyenoord has shown a mixed bag of results lately, winning two out of their last five matches.
| Home team | Away team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| NAC Breda | Feyenoord | 0-0 (Draw) |
| Feyenoord | AC Milan | 1-0 (Win) |
| Feyenoord | Sparta Rotterdam | 3-0 (Win) |
| PSV Eindhoven | Feyenoord | 2-0 (Loss) |
| Ajax | Feyenoord | 2-1 (Loss) |
Despite the inconsistency, they’ve managed to keep three clean sheets in their last five fixtures and have an average of 1.00 goals scored per game. Their recent form illustrates a bounce-back ability, especially evident in their solid defensive performances and a crucial win against AC Milan.
Feyenoord Key Players
Expected lineup for Feyenoord:
- Goalkeeper: Timon Wellenreuther
- Defenders: Givairo Read, Thomas Beelen, David Hancko, Quilindschy Hartman
- Midfielders: Jakub Moder, Antoni Milambo, Anis Hadj Moussa, Igor Paixao, Luka Ivanusec
- Attackers: Julian Carranza
Igor Paixao is the one to watch, leading the team with a goal in this competition. His creativity and quick movements are pivotal to Feyenoord’s offensive play.
Another key player is Julian Carranza, whose agility and positioning can trouble AC Milan’s defense.
The midfield battle will be crucial, particularly with Jakub Moder orchestrating play against Milan’s robust midfield.
Feyenoord’s defense, led by David Hancko, will aim to neutralize Milan’s attacking threats. Given their clean sheets, they’ll be confident in their defensive solidity.
Feyenoord Suspensions & Injuries
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Jordan Lotomba | Broken leg | Late April 2025 |
| Ramiz Zerrouki | Unknown | Doubtful |
| Calvin Stengs | Hamstring Injury | Late February 2025 |
| Chris-Kévin Nadje | Unknown | A few days |
| Justin Bijlow | Knee injury | Mid March 2025 |
| Gernot Trauner | Unknown | Early March 2025 |
| In-beom Hwang | Unknown | Doubtful |
| Quinten Timber | Knee injury | Early April 2025 |
| Bart Nieuwkoop | Unknown | Early March 2025 |
These injuries could pose significant challenges for Feyenoord. Potential absences from key positions in both defense and attack might put extra pressure on the remaining players, impacting their overall team performance. Especially notable is the absence of key defensive players like Jordan Lotomba and potential concerns around midfielders like Ramiz Zerrouki and In-beom Hwang. Their recovery timelines clash with Feyenoord’s crucial fixtures, possibly necessitating tactical adjustments by their manager.
Feyenoord Tactics and Formation
Feyenoord’s Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: Predominantly 4-3-3 with occasional switches to 4-2-3-1
- Key Forward: Julian Carranza
- Midfield Trio: Jakub Moder, Antoni Milambo, Anis Hadj Moussa
Feyenoord has shown their defensive resilience, keeping three clean sheets in their last five matches. This defensive solidity is critical, especially given their injury concerns. They also have a tendency to score in every match this season, which highlights their attacking consistency. Their strategy often involves gaining control in midfield and executing quick transitions to catch opponents off-guard. Expect them to be defensively compact and look for counter-attacking opportunities against AC Milan at the San Siro.
AC Milan vs Feyenoord Head-to-Head Statistics
| Home | Away | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Feyenoord | AC Milan | 1 – 0 |
Their last encounter on 12 February 2025 saw Feyenoord secure a narrow 1-0 victory over AC Milan.
The history between these teams is limited, making it somewhat uncharted territory going into this Champions League clash. This builds anticipation as AC Milan will be eager for revenge, while Feyenoord looks to maintain their recent edge.
