Following the 3-1 defeat to Napoli, this is a must-win game for AC Milan if they are to keep their European hopes alive, whereas Bologna go into the clash at San Siro buoyed by the 2-1 triumph over Torino that saw them create a four-point cushion between them and the bottom three.

The Rossoneri are still trying to recover from the dismal start to the season and it looks as though they face a tough task in an attempt to clinch Europa League qualification.

Milan have been showing some improvement under new boss Clarence Seedorf, but they still lack consistency, as witnessed by home draw with Torino and weekend’s defeat to Napoli.

The Rossoneri are set to continue their Champions League campaign with a home game against Atletico Madrid, which is why their league game against Bologna was brought forward to Friday.

However, even with Clarence Seedorf likely to field the strongest line-up, odds of 1.40 (2/5) offered on home win do not look tempting enough.

Meanwhile, top scorer Mario Balotelli can be backed at 4.00 (3/1) with Paddy Power to open the scoring on Friday evening.

Riccardo Montolivo and Sulley Muntari look set to start as they are suspended for the Atletico game, but Stephan El Shaarawy and Robinho are out injured and Cristian Zapata is doubtful.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Abbiati – Abate, Rami, Bonera, De Sciglio – Montolivo, Muntari – Honda, Kaka, Taarabt – Balotelli.

Bologna found themselves in all sorts of problems ahead of last week’s match against Torino, and not only because they were sitting just outside the relegation zone.

Felsinei had just sold key player Alessandro Diamanti to Guangzhou, while they also had several important footballers unavailable for the game at Stadio Olimpico.

To make matters worse, they conceded an early goal, but then produced a great comeback to record a valuable 2-1 victory.

Bologna now sit four points above the bottom three and they can be backed at 1.91 (10/11) to register at least one goal at San Siro.

Davide Ballardini has received more good news this week as Marek Cech, Cesare Natali and Francesco Della Rocca all resumed full training.

Panagiotis Kone and internet sensation Davide Moscardelli are back from suspension, but Michele Pazienza and Robert Acquafresca continue to miss out.

Probable starting line-up (3-5-2): Curci – Antonsson, Natali, Mantovani – Garics, Kone, Perez, Christodoulopoulos, Morleo – Cristaldo, Bianchi.