Fallen giants AC Milan face one of Europe’s in-form teams Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League Last 16 stage clash at San Siro.

The Rossoneri have continued with inconsistent performances since Clarence Seedorf replaced Max Allegri, but they are hoping the huge European experience will help them match very good Atletico side.

Milan have been struggling for form of late, winning just two of last five matches in all competitions, and only after scoring three very late goals.

Mario Balotelli’s wonder strike helped the Rossoneri to a win over out-of-sorts Bologna and the hosts will need the bad boy of Italian football to be at his best if they are to stand any chance of eliminating the Spanish side.

AC Milan may be priced at 3.80 (14/5) to win the first leg, but having beaten Barcelona when the Catalans were at their best, surely the San Siro outfit should not be written off just yet.

The problem is that midfielders Riccardo Montolivo and Sulley Muntari miss out through suspension, whereas Kaka and Cristian Zapata are doubtful.

New signings Adel Taarabt, Adil Rami and Michael Essien are in contention, but Keisuke Honda is ineligible having already played for CSKA Moscow in this year’s competition.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Abbiati – De Sciglio, Mexes, Rami, Emanuelson – de Jong, Poli – Abate, Kaka, Taarabt – Balotelli.

Atletico Madrid largely impressed to mount a serious title challenge in La Liga, where they are tied on points with Barcelona and Real Madrid, but los Colchoneros also want to reach the final stages of the Champions League.

Diego Simeone’s men cruised into the knockout stages, having dropped just two points in the group stage and that only happened after they had secured the first place in the standings.

Los Colchoneros did suffer a major dip in form of late, losing three straight games without scoring a single goal in the process, but the 3-0 victory over Real Valladolid is enough to suggest they have returned to the right track.

With important attacker David Villa returning to the side, it may not be surprising that Atletico have been made 2.25 (5/4) favourites to win at San Siro.

Star striker Diego Costa seems to have rediscovered his scoring boots and after netting three times in last five, he is 2.88 (17/9) to score anytime.

Diego Simeone has some injury worries of his own given that Filipe Luis, Tiago Mendes and Javi Manquillo are on the sidelines, but David Villa could be recalled to the starting line-up.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-2): Courtois – Juanfran, Godin, Miranda, Insua – Koke, Mario, Gabi, Arda – Costa, Villa.