AC Milan vs Club Brugge KV Prediction: 22/10/2024

AC Milan find themselves in a troubling position in the Champions League, having suffered defeats in their first two group stage matches—first a 1-3 loss at home against Liverpool, followed by a 1-0 defeat to Bayer Leverkusen on matchday two. With no points on the board, the Rossoneri are under pressure to secure a victory in their next game to keep their hopes alive of finishing in the top 8 and advancing to the knockout stages.

In domestic play, however, the seven-time Champions League winners have been in fine form, securing three consecutive victories, including a 4-0 win against Venezia, a hard-fought 1-2 triumph in the Madonnina derby against Inter, and a commanding 3-0 victory over Lecce. Ahead of the international break, they will aim to remain unbeaten in their away clash against Fiorentina and continue their strong league run against Udinese after the break.

Club Brugge, meanwhile, faced a tough 3-0 home defeat against Borussia Dortmund on matchday one but bounced back with a narrow 1-0 win over Sturm Graz. Despite their success in Europe, the reigning Belgian champions have struggled in the domestic league, managing only four straight wins before entering the Champions League campaign.

Afterward, they endured two matches without a win, including a 4-2 loss to La Gantoise and a 1-1 draw away to Charleroi. Like AC Milan, Club Brugge will play two more league matches between Champions League fixtures, first facing Union Saint-Gilloise in a highly anticipated contest before the break, and then taking on KVC Westerlo on the road.

Milan will be missing key players due to injury, including Bennacer, right-back Florenzi, and backup goalkeeper Sportiello. While there was some expectation that Morata might start against Leverkusen, it was instead Tammy Abraham (formerly of AS Roma) who took the lead upfront, supported by Leao (1 goal, 3 assists) and Pulisic (4 goals, 2 assists).

On the Belgian side, young Dutch talent Bjorn Meijer, who has been absent since the start of the season, will remain unavailable. Nevertheless, Club Brugge will travel with a strong squad, including summer recruit Tzolis (2 goals), who scored the winner against Sturm Graz, as well as Skov Olsen (4 goals), Vanaken (3 goals, 2 assists), and Nilsson (3 goals, 4 assists), although the latter was a surprise omission from the previous match.

 

Prediction

Club Brugge KV have seen 13 consecutive Champions League matches with three or fewer goals, establishing themselves as a model of consistency in this regard. Similarly, 16 of AC Milan’s last 17 home games in the Champions League have also featured under 3.5 goals. Therefore, a low-scoring game is expected, and anything else would be a surprise.

Final Prediction: AC Milan 1-1 Club Brugge KV.