Newly-promoted Cesena will be aiming to extend their unbeaten run at Stadio Dino Manuzzi when they host AC Milan on Sunday afternoon. Meanwhile, the Rossoneri are eager to return to winning ways after successive setbacks against Juventus and Empoli, and they do look like favourites to claim maximum points.

Heavy defeats on the road

After gaining promotion to Serie A, Cesena have added a number of players to their ranks, but due to serious financial constraints, the club were unable to attract too many quality footballers. Even if they have some players with top flight experience in the ranks, the Seahorses do not seem to be prepared for what is likely to be a very demanding season. Cesena have so far done pretty well at their Stadio Dino Manuzzi, defeating Parma and sharing spoils with Empoli, albeit squandering a two-goal lead against fellow newcomers. Good home form is a must if the club are to have any chance of avoiding the drop, seeing as how the Seahorses are not exactly good travellers. Disappointing 3-0 defeats to Lazio and Juventus are enough to suggest Cesena lack the quality to match Italy’s top sides and even if they should fare better at home when facing Milan, they cannot be expected to cause the visitors too many problems. Points needed to survive should be searched in clashes against fellow bottom-table sides, although that does not mean the hosts will not give their best to try and surprise the Rossoneri.

Massimo Volta, Franco Brienza and Giuseppe De Feudis are back in contention, but Luigi Giorgi is doubtful with a bout of flu and Nico Pulzetti, Riccardo Cazzola and Andrea Tabanelli are definitely out.

Decent comeback against Empoli

I have to admit I hadn’t expected Filippo Inzaghi to impress in his first ever high-profile job, but the former Italy international seems to have at least brought a new air of optimism at San Siro. There are no doubts he currently has a very good squad at his disposal, and with Fernando Torres scoring on his full debut, there is plenty of reason for optimism in the camp. And while attack seems to be in fine working order regardless of the individual options, Inzaghi needs to patch up the leaky defence if Milan are to stand a chance of a top 3 finish this season. It was two cheap goals against Empoli that denied the Rossoneri victory last weekend, even if the team did well to earn a 2-2 draw after going two goals behind. The return of Alex should be considered a major boost, and it would appear as the back line of Abate, Alex, Zapata and De Sciglio has enough quality to keep things tight at the back, obviously with a generous help from one Nigel de Jong. Milan will see the Cesena clash as an excellent opportunity to kick-start their season and I can definitely see them winning at Stadio Dino Manuzzi.

Alex returns to the side, but Riccardo Montolivo, Diego Lopez, Marco van Ginkel and Riccardo Saponara are out injured.

Verdict

Heavy defeats to Lazio and Juventus would suggest that Cesena lack the needed quality to mix it up with the best of them in Serie A and another loss appears on the cards. AC Milan have shown a great deal of potential so far and if they can show a minor improvement at the back, the Rossoneri will win this match.

Top pick: Away win   1.67 (2/3) @ William Hill

Alternative pick 1: Over 2.5 goals   2.10 (11/10) @ Paddy Power

Alternative pick 2: Milan/Milan   2.55 (14/9) @ BetVictor