Torino vs AC Milan

Torino play host to AC Milan at the Stadio Olimpico di Torino as both clubs look to rebound after losing their matches at home during the midweek fixtures of week 29. Torino are battling to achieve a safe middle of the table position in order to stave off relegation, while AC Milan are in a neck and neck fight with Fiorentina for a spot in the Champions League.

Torino are in 14^th place of the Serie A table with 31 points. They sit one point back of 13^th place Siena and 2 points ahead of 15^th place Parma. On Wednesday they were tripped up by Udinese at home by a score of 0-1. It was Toro’s 2^nd loss in 4 days and they also failed to score for the second straight time. They have produced 1 win, 2 draws and 2 losses over that span but scored only 3 goals. Following the match the club received some terrible news when it was confirmed that defender Gianluca Comotto had suffered a ligament injury which has effectively ended his season. He will join Zanetti, Sereni, and Barone on the injured list while Lazetic will sit out suspended. This is not the way they wanted to come into this big match at home to AC Milan.

As for the rossoneri they too are coming off of a bad loss at home. AC Milan were bested by Sampdoria on Wednesday at the Giuseppe Meazza by a score of 1-2. It was their second consecutive loss by the same score after having fallen to AS Roma 3 days prior. Carlo Ancelotti’s club are now in 5^th place of the Serie A table with 46 points. They are 4 points back of 4^th place Fiorentina and 1 ahead of 6^th place Sampdoria. The biggest concern this week continues to be the condition of world footballer of the year Kaka’ who is dealing with a right leg injury. His inclusion for this contest will probably be a match time decision. He joins Ronaldo, Cafu, Serginho and Inzaghi on the injured list at this time. Look for Pato to start as the lone striker with Gilardino covering Kaka’s spot alongside Seedorf.

Neither side comes into this contest with much confidence. They have combined for 4 losses over the last week and injuries are an issue on both sides. The possible absence of Kaka’ for the visitors cannot be overstated but AC Milan have produced one of the best records away from home in Serie A with 8 wins (the most in the league) and 3 draws from 15 matches. Torino have just 4 wins at home in 15 matches. If Pato and Seedorf are inspired, they could pull out the 3 points.

Prediction: Draw (0-0)