AC Milan vs Sampdoria

AC Milan return home to the San Siro to host Sampdoria in a match up between sides that are coming off of very different results in Round 28 of Serie A. Milan were losers away from home despite having enjoyed a lead in their match, while Samp were able to enjoy a commanding victory at home.

AC Milan come into this match in 5^th place of Serie A with 46 points for the season. They are 4 point behind 4^th place side Fiorentina and also 4 points ahead of the 6^th place club Sampdoria which they will play host to this week. Last week, the rossoneri fell on the road to AS Roma by a score of 2-1 and lost significant ground to Fiorentina in their chase for UEFA Champions League slot in the league table. That result makes the 3 points at stake at home to Sampdoria vital for Carlo Ancelotti’s squad. While a number of players on the Milan side are dealing with some aches and pains including Ronaldo, Inzaghi, Cafu and Serginho, the importance of the match will see both Kaka’ and Seedorf play their 2^nd match in 4 days.

Sampdoria ran out deserve winners over Catania this past weekend by a score of 3-1 at home. Thanks to their easy win the side managed by Mazzari were able to climb into 6^th place of Serie A and now sit just 4 points back of 5^th place AC Milan with 42 points for the campaign which leaves them 1 point ahead of 7^th place Udinese. This contest on the road provides them with the opportunity to narrow their deficit behind Milan to just 1 point. The blucerchiati have some concerns with regard to the starting eleven as Montella and Campagnaro remain out while Franceschini will join Cassano on the suspended list. The striker Cassano will be serving the 3^rd of a 5 match suspension but ironically Samp have won both matches they have played without him. There is a chance that Bellucci will be rested in this match for at least the first half so look for Mazzari to employ a 3-5-2 with Delvecchio and Bonazzoli as the strikers.

The pressure will be entirely on AC Milan this week. They are the home side and they are still ahead, just barely, in the league table. While they haven’t exactly set the world on fire at home – they have as many wins at home as Sampdoria have on the road – Samp are known to be all or nothing on the road- 4 wins, 1 draw and 9 losses in 14 games. Look for Milan to fight it out and pull out the 3 points.

Prediction: AC Milan (2-1)