Best Odds: 8/11
Bookmaker:
Knowing that only three points will be enough in their bid to punch a famous Champions League knockout stage ticket, Newcastle will welcome AC Milan to St. James’ Park on Wednesday night.
Newcastle
Starting with the hosts, while Newcastle might have once again gained a string of plaudits when opening up the 2023/24 campaign, the Magpies do have the feel of a squad seeking a recent boost. Enduring what has been a nightmare blip over the past week after suffering respective hammerings against Tottenham and Everton, Eddie Howe’s side will be more than aware that they have plenty of pressure on their shoulders here. With only three points enough to keep their slim knockout stage dreams alive, the former Bournemouth boss has seen his squad win just a pair of their previous seven appearances across all competitions. Blown away over the weekend as they eventually slumped to a 4-1 drumming at the hands of Spurs, Howe will also have a mounting headache over his side’s extended defensive issues. Including a 3-0 loss against Everton earlier in the month, Newcastle have just a single clean sheet to their name since back on November 4th.
Team News
While both Callum Wilson and Sean Longstaff might have made a return to Newcastle’s squad over the weekend, Howe still remains without a host of first-team stars. All dealing with respective long-term injury issues, the Magpies will be unable to call upon the likes of Sven Botman, Harvey Barnes, Nick Pope and Dan Burn.
Although attacking talisman Alexander Isak might have failed to find the net in his previous three Premier League appearances on the bounce, the Swedish marksman will spearhead Newcastle’s charge on Wednesday night.
AC Milan
As for the visitors, although AC Milan might have opened December with a welcomed 3-1 romp against Frosinone, the Italian icons came immediately crashing back down to earth over the weekend. Eventually slumping to an action-packed 3-2 loss at the hands of Atalanta, Stefano Pioli’s side have struggled to find any kind of stability over the past couple of months. Last seen in Champions League action suffering a 3-1 drumming at home against German giants Borussia Dortmund, the Rossoneri pen their European finale sat rock-bottom of the Group F standings. Mustering just a trio of wins from any of their previous 10 appearances across all competitions, AC Milan have also gained a reputation for their extended issues on the road. Including a routine 3-0 defeat against PSG on October 25th, Wednesday’s guests have failed to clinch a single win away from the San Siro in their previous four attempts.
Team News
Once again missing out against Atalanta over the weekend and not making a single appearance since returning from November’s international break, AC Milan are once again expected to be without attacking talisman Rafael Leao here. Likewise, the Rossoneri are unable to call upon the likes of Malick Thiaw, Pierre Kalulu and Marco Pellegrino.
Enjoying what has been a real free-scoring flurry and now notching seven strikes in his previous eight appearances for club and country, ex-Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud will have a leading role to play on Wednesday night.
Key Factors to Consider
