Having already contested no less than six Champions League matches over the last three years, AC Milan and Barcelona are slowly establishing quite a rivalry, which is enough to suggest we should see an enthralling encounter at San Siro on Tuesday night.

Once again, the Rossoneri are having a slow start to the season, but the boss and players are not the only ones to blame.

While Milan were unable to find any consistency in the opening exchanges, it was the numerous injuries to the playing squad that took the wind out of their sails in the first place.

And even if boss Max Allegri has a pretty big squad to choose from, everyone knows that notching up several good results in a row proves to be a very difficult task when a big part of the starting line-up changes week in week out.

However, it appears the Rossoneri are slowly returning to the right track, with weekend’s 1-0 victory over Udinese certainly a step in the right direction.

Max Allegri was clearly delighted with his side keeping a rare clean sheet ahead of the Barcelona clash, given that his back line will now be up against some of world’s best attackers.

Even so, taking into account the 2-0 triumph over the Catalans back in February, there may be some value in 6.50 (11/2) odds for a home win.

Christian Abbiati and Mario Balotelli look set to miss out, and with keeper Gabriel ineligible, Marco Amelia looks set to start between the sticks.

The good news is Kaka is back to the side, while Philippe Mexes and Nigel de Jong return from domestic suspension. El Shaarawy, Pazzini, De Sciglio and Bonera remain sidelined.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-1-2): Amelia – Abate, Mexes, Zapata, Constant – Poli, De Jong, Montolivo – Birsa – Matri, Robinho.

Barcelona go into this game on the back of their first slip up in this year’s La Liga campaign, with the Catalans held to a goalless draw by Osasuna on Saturday.

The good news is that the Catalans remained at the top regardless seeing as how Atletico Madrid lost their fixture, but their advantage over Real Madrid has melted to three points.

Barcelona players need to recover quickly from the setback as they face two extremely important matches this week, facing Milan in the Champions League before playing host to Real Madrid in La Liga.

With Leo Messi and Carles Puyol finally returning into action, the Catalans are rightly considered 1.62 (5/8) favourites to triumph at San Siro.

Having entered the pitch midway through the second period against Osasuna, the Argentina superstar is likely to start against Milan, and he is 1.75 (3/4) to mark his return with a goal.

Javier Mascherano is also back in contention, whereas Dani Alves, Gerard Pique and Alexis Sanchez are set to be recalled.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Valdes – Alves, Puyol, Pique, Adriano – Xavi, Busquets, Fabregas – Sanchez, Messi, Neymar.