Bottom-placed Chievo finally ended a six-match losing run in Serie A as they held Bologna to a goalless draw, but the Flying Donkeys now face another difficult match. AC Milan suffered a new blow to their top 3 hopes as they were beaten at home by Fiorentina, with the Rossoneri desperate to end a five-game winless streak at Stadio Marc’Antonio Bentegodi.

Donkeys grounded

Season after season, Chievo are battling for Serie A survival and always find a way to stay alive, but this campaign could finally mark the end of their stay in the elite division. And while all their relegation rivals have reinforced their respective squads over the summer, the Flying Donkeys did nothing of the sort and are now being punished for the lack of activity in the transfer market. Eleven games into the new Serie A campaign and Chievo sit at rock bottom, having picked up mere five points so far. The team have been especially disappointing of late, losing six straight matches before finally ending the barren run with a goalless draw at Bologna. While their relegation rivals are still within the touching distance, the worrying thing is that Giuseppe Sanino’s side are not really proving they have what it takes to pull off another great escape. A couple of important players have returned from a spell on the sidelines, but they will need some time to rediscover their form and seriously help the team on the pitch.

Perparim Hetemaj returns to the side from suspension, but Adrian Callelo, Claiton and Simone Bentivoglio remain sidelined.

Milan again in problems

This season is eerily resembling the last for the Rossoneri as they were then also struggling in the opening exchanges only to clinch a top 3 finish in Serie A in the end. With the team already 16 points behind the final Champions League berth, almost nobody believes the same scenario can be repeated, but it is up to Max Allegri and his players to try and get out of the situation they are in as quickly as possible. One look as the team sheet will tell you that the Rossoneri have more than enough quality in the ranks to turn things around and it is as if they only need one morale-boosting win to kick-start their season. The promising performance in the unlucky 3-1 defeat to Barcelona is likely to improve the players’ confidence before the Chievo match, which could be very important for the San Siro outfit. There won’t be a lot of better chances to record a rare away win than the clash with rock-bottom and out-of-sorts Chievo, so you can be sure the visitors will be well aware of what is at stake at Bentegodi.

Mario Balotelli is banned, whilst Giampaolo Pazzini, Stephan El Shaarawy and Matia Silvestre are injured and Mattia De Sciglio is doubtful.

Verdict

Despite ending their six-match losing run, Chievo don’t look capable of getting anything from this game, and I really don’t see how they are going to match their more illustrious opponents unless Milan play well below the expectations. The Rossoneri have been far from impressive on the road this term, but this will feel as a perfect opportunity to return to the right track.

Top pick: Away win   2.00 (1/1) @ Unibet

Alternative pick 1: Milan/Milan   3.25 (9/4) @ Paddy Power

Alternative pick 2: Matri to score   3.50 (5/2) @ bet365