AC Milan vs FK Crvena Zvezda, UCL, Prediction, Match Preview & Live Streaming, 12 December

This upcoming Champions League clash between AC Milan and FK Crvena Zvezda on 12 December 2024 at San Siro promises an intriguing battle. Milan, currently in 17th place with 9 points, enters as the bookmakers’ favourites. On the other hand, Crvena Zvezda sits at 31st with just 3 points. Milan has experienced a roller-coaster season, recently losing to Atalanta yet showing b form in their last five games with three wins, a draw, and a loss. Crvena Zvezda is in excellent form with five consecutive wins, including significant victories against Tekstilac Odzaci and TSC Backa Topola. Key players like Christian Pulisic (3 goals) for Milan will be missed due to injury, but Alvaro Morata remains a vital presence upfront. Crvena Zvezda’s Nemanja Radonjic will be crucial for their attacking strategy. With weather conditions being cold yet clear, and referee Jesus Gil officiating, expect an enthralling match. Our recommended bet is FK Crvena Zvezda +1.50 (Asian Handicap), suggesting they are unlikely to lose by a wide margin, with odds set ideally at 2.2. This showdown is a must-watch for football enthusiasts.

AC Milan vs. FK Crvena Zvezda Prediction & Betting Tip

Our recommended tip for this match is FK Crvena Zvezda +1.50 (Asian Handicap). This suggestion is based on the expectation that Crvena Zvezda is unlikely to lose by a wide margin.

AC Milan vs. FK Crvena Zvezda Prediction
Betting Tip	Odds
FK Crvena Zvezda +1.50	2.2

Crvena Zvezda has maintained a stellar form, winning their last five matches.
Historically, matches between these two teams have been closely contested.
AC Milan is dealing with several crucial injuries, including their top scorer Christian Pulisic.

AC Milan vs. FK Crvena Zvezda Odds

This Champions League clash at the iconic San Siro features AC Milan as the heavy favorites against FK Crvena Zvezda. While AC Milan boasts a ber squad and better odds to win, Crvena Zvezda’s recent form suggests they won’t go down easily.

AC Milan vs. FK Crvena Zvezda Betting Odds
Bet	Odds
AC Milan	1.27
Draw	6.14
FK Crvena Zvezda	9.91

With AC Milan’s odds at 1.27 to win, the bookmakers clearly favor the home team. A draw is set at 6.14, while a Crvena Zvezda win is a long shot at 9.91. Given the odds, AC Milan is expected to secure the victory despite their injury woes, but don’t count out Crvena Zvezda pulling off an upset.

AC Milan Team Analysis

AC Milan Recent Performance: LWWWD

AC Milan’s recent form has been a mixed bag with three wins, one draw, and one loss in their last five matches.

Home team	Away team	Result
Atalanta	AC Milan	2-1 (Loss)
AC Milan	Sassuolo	6-1 (Win)
AC Milan	Empoli	3-0 (Win)
Slovan Bratislava	AC Milan	2-3 (Win)
AC Milan	Juventus	0-0 (Draw)

Recent Form: LWWWD
AC Milan has averaged 2.60 goals scored in their last five games, showcasing a potent attack.
They’ve managed to keep 2 clean sheets, a promising defensive statistic.
With injuries to key players like Christian Pulisic, the team will look to Álvaro Morata and Rafael Leão to step up. Despite the loss to Atalanta, Milan’s victories highlight their offensive prowess, especially in the 6-1 thrashing of Sassuolo. Their defensive solidity will be tested without Pulisic, but coach Paulo Fonseca’s strategies have generally been effective.

AC Milan Key Players

Key players for AC Milan, such as goalscorer Christian Pulisic, who has netted 3 goals in this tournament, will be sorely missed due to injury. Instead, the focus will shift to Álvaro Morata and Rafael Leão, both pivotal in driving Milan’s recent form. Expected lineup for AC Milan:

Goalkeeper: Mike Maignan
Defenders: Emerson Royal, Malick Thiaw, Matteo Gabbia, Theo Hernandez
Midfielders: Youssouf Fofana, Tijjani Reijnders, Yunus Musah, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Rafael Leão
Forward: Álvaro Morata Key individual battles to watch:
Morata vs. Uros Spajić in the heart of Crvena Zvezda’s defense.
Leão against Young-woo Seol on the flanks.

AC Milan Suspensions & Injuries

AC Milan heads into the match with a few critical injuries that could impact their performance. The absence of Christian Pulisic, who is their top scorer in this tournament with three goals, will be significant. Other important players sidelined include Alessandro Florenzi, Ismaël Bennacer, and Luka Jović. These injuries may force coach Paulo Fonseca to rely heavily on other key players such as Álvaro Morata and Rafael Leão.

Player	Injury	Expected return
Alessandro Florenzi	Cruciate ligament injury	Early April 2025
Ismaël Bennacer	Ankle injury	Late December 2024
Luka Jović	Groin injury	Mid January 2025
Christian Pulisic	Calf injury	Early January 2025

These absences will test Milan’s squad depth, but the team will look to rally and secure a crucial victory at San Siro.

AC Milan Tactics and Formation

AC Milan Tactical Breakdown:

Formation: 4-2-3-1
Key Forward: Álvaro Morata
Midfield Trio: Youssouf Fofana, Tijjani Reijnders, Ruben Loftus-Cheek
Defensive Strength: Two clean sheets in the last five games.
Notable Strategy: Utilizing width with wingers Yunus Musah and Rafael Leão to stretch the defense.

Paulo Fonseca’s AC Milan prefers a 4-2-3-1 setup, leveraging the creativity and pace of their wingers. With Theo Hernandez and Emerson Royal as attacking fullbacks, they push forward to support the midfield.

Expect AC Milan to dominate possession and exploit the flanks, creating numerous scoring opportunities for the in-form Álvaro Morata.

FK Crvena Zvezda Team Analysis

FK Crvena Zvezda Recent Performance WWWWW

FK Crvena Zvezda has been in scorching form recently, securing five wins in their last five outings. Here are their latest results:

Home team	Away team	Result
FK Crvena Zvezda	Tekstilac Odzaci	6-0 (Win)
FK Crvena Zvezda	TSC Backa Topola	3-1 (Win)
Mladost Lucani	FK Crvena Zvezda	0-2 (Win)
FK Crvena Zvezda	VfB Stuttgart	5-1 (Win)
OFK Beograd	FK Crvena Zvezda	0-1 (Win)
Recent Form: WWWWW

With an average of 3.40 goals scored per game and three clean sheets in their last five matches, they are showcasing an impressive balance of offensive prowess and defensive solidity. Their ability to score in 80% of their matches this season underscores their attacking consistency.

FK Crvena Zvezda Key Players

Key players for FK Crvena Zvezda in this matchup include their top scorer, Nemanja Radonjić, with 2 goals to his name in the competition. Radonjić’s speed and finishing ability make him a constant threat on the left wing. Another crucial player is Mirko Ivanić, whose playmaking skills provide creativity and opportunities for the forwards. In defense, Uroš Spajić will be vital in organizing the back line and dealing with Milan’s attacking threats, particularly Álvaro Morata.

Expected lineup for FK Crvena Zvezda:

Goalkeeper: Ivan Guteša
Defenders: Young-woo Seol, Nasser Djiga, Uroš Spajić, Ognjen Mimovic
Midfielders: Rade Krunić, Timi Max Elšnik, Mirko Ivanić
Attackers: Silas Katompa Mvumpa, Nemanja Radonjić, Cherif Ndiaye

Individual battles to watch include Radonjić versus Emerson Royal and Spajić against Morata.

FK Crvena Zvezda Suspensions & Injuries

Heading into this crucial matchup, FK Crvena Zvezda will be mindful of their injury list, though they have no suspensions to worry about. Peter Olayinka’s absence due to an Achilles tendon injury could pose a significant challenge for the team. His potential return is slated for mid-January 2025, after this crucial match against AC Milan. Olayinka is known for his speed and offensive prowess, and his absence may limit Crvena Zvezda’s attacking options on the wing.

Player	Injury	Expected return
Peter Olayinka	Achilles tendon injury	Mid-January 2025

FK Crvena Zvezda Tactics and Formation

FK Crvena Zvezda’s Tactical Breakdown:

Formation: 4-2-3-1
Key Forward: Cherif Ndiaye
Midfield Trio: Rade Krunic, Timi Max Elšnik, Mirko Ivanic
Defensive Strength: Three clean sheets in the last five games. In the away match at San Siro, Crvena Zvezda will likely stick to their 4-2-3-1 formation. They have shown a tendency to be quite effective in the attacking third, with Nemanja Radonjic and Silas Katompa Mvumpa providing width, while Mirko Ivanic operates centrally. Despite their offensive capabilities, their defense will need to avoid lapses, particularly in the 46-60 minute interval, where they’ve been most vulnerable. Expect them to focus on quick transitions and exploiting the flanks to counter AC Milan’s possession-based approach.

AC Milan vs. FK Crvena Zvezda Head-to-Head Statistics

AC Milan and FK Crvena Zvezda have a history of tightly contested matches. Here’s a look at the last five encounters:

Home	Away	Result
AC Milan	FK Crvena Zvezda	1-1
FK Crvena Zvezda	AC Milan	2-2
FK Crvena Zvezda	AC Milan	1-2
AC Milan	FK Crvena Zvezda	1-0

In these past clashes, Milan holds a slight edge, but Crvena Zvezda has proven they can be a stubborn opponent. Close results suggest this match could once again be a competitive affair.

Venue and Weather

The match between AC Milan and FK Crvena Zvezda will be held at the iconic San Siro stadium, which boasts a seating capacity of over 80,000. Known for its electrifying atmosphere, San Siro is one of the most revered football venues in the world.
Weather-wise, the forecast for December 12, 2024, predicts a chilly evening with temperatures around 1°C. The weather includes a few clouds, high humidity at 87%, and wind speeds of 1.04 m/s.
These conditions could impact gameplay:

AC Milan might lean on their home advantage and familiarity with the cold.
FK Crvena Zvezda will need to adapt quickly to the brisk weather, potentially prioritizing defensive solidity to mitigate risks.

Both teams’ strategies will likely be influenced by these winter conditions.