The Serie A Matchday 1 clash between Milan and Cremonese will take place on August 23 at the San Siro Stadium. Milan vs. Cremonese: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Milan
Last season was disappointing for the team, finishing eighth with 63 points. As a result, Milan failed to make the top six in the standings for the first time since the 2016/17 season. However, the club showed strong results in the final rounds, winning 4 of their last 5 matches. Milan also displayed high scoring ability in the previous Serie A campaign, netting 61 goals, only behind Inter (79) and Atalanta (78). In preparation for the season, Milan played five friendly matches, securing only two victories (1 draw, 2 losses).
During the off-season, the team parted ways with defenders Malik Thiaw, Theo Hernandez, and Emerson Royal, as well as midfielder Teun Koopmeiners and forward Noah Okafor. Additionally, defender Kyle Walker and forward Tammy Abraham left following the end of their loan spells, while striker Alvaro Morata went on loan to Como. Meanwhile, Milan welcomed defenders Koni De Winter and Pervis Estupiñán, midfielders Luka Modric, Ardon Jashari, and Samuele Ricci, along with forward Victor Boniface. Notably, the team will be led by a new head coach, Massimiliano Allegri.
- The club has not lost in 12 of their last 14 home matches in Serie A (6 wins, 6 draws).
- The team scored exactly 1 or 2 goals in 6 of their last 8 home league games.
- Both teams scored in 8 of Milan's last 11 home Serie A matches.
Projected lineup for Milan (3-4-3)
Mike Maignan – Matteo Gabbia, Fikayo Tomori, Strahinja Pavlović – Pervis Estupiñán, Youssouf Fofana, Samuele Ricci, Luka Modric – Christian Pulisic, Santiago Giménez, Alexis Saelemaekers.
Forward Rafael Leão is injured and will miss the match.
Cremonese
Last season, the club participated in Serie B, finishing fourth with 61 points and advancing to the playoffs for a chance to enter the elite Italian division. Cremonese successively defeated Juve Stabia (1:2, 3:0) and Spezia (0:0, 3:2), securing promotion. As a result, the team will play in Serie A for only the second time in the 21st century. Notably, the club was effective on the road last season, scoring 32 goals in 19 matches, second only to Sassuolo (35). In the summer, Cremonese played three friendly matches, winning one (1 draw, 1 loss).
During the off-season, Cremonese added goalkeeper Emil Audero, defenders Filippo Terracciano and Federico Baschirotto, midfielders Warren Bondo and Alberto Grassi, and forwards Antonio Sanabria, Jari Vandeputte, and Alessio Zerbin. Additionally, the club appointed a new head coach, Davide Nicola.
- The team has not won in 18 of their last 19 away matches in Serie A (8 draws, 10 losses).
- The club conceded at least two goals in 7 of their last 9 away games in this tournament.
- At least three goals were scored in 6 of Cremonese's last 9 away Serie A matches.
Projected lineup for Cremonese (3-5-2)
Emil Audero – Filippo Terracciano, Federico Baschirotto, Matteo Bianchetti – Alessio Zerbin, Michele Collocolo, Warren Bondo, Jari Vandeputte, Giuseppe Pezzella – Manuel De Luca, Antonio Sanabria.
Due to suspensions, defender Tommaso Barbieri and midfielders Franco Vázquez and Mattia Valoti will miss the match.
Referee
Giuseppe Collu (Italy)
Matches – 6 (Serie A, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 24;
Average yellow cards per match – 4;
Red cards shown – 0;
Average fouls per match – 29;
Penalties – 0%.
Match Prediction: Milan vs. Cremonese
I expect a high-scoring game from these opponents. Milan rarely struggles to break down defenses at home, scoring regularly. In their last 11 home Serie A matches, Milan only failed to score once, and in five instances during this period, they netted at least two goals. However, the team couldn't keep a clean sheet in 9 of their last 11 home league games.
During their last stint in Serie A in the 2022/23 season, Cremonese was effective in away matches, although they rarely collected points. In their last eight away games in the Italian elite, the club failed to score only twice, and in four matches during this period, they scored at least two goals. Meanwhile, their defense faced significant issues, conceding in 19 consecutive away Serie A matches, with at least two goals conceded in 13 of those games.
I believe this match will feature an open game with plenty of goals. My prediction: Total over 2.5 goals
