Saturday March 19th 2011, 7.45pm GMT (live on ESPN)
AC Milan travel to Sicily tomorrow in an effort to extend their five-point lead at the top of the table ahead of Inter’s game against Lecce on Sunday. The Rossoneri were frustrated by Bari last Sunday at the San Siro, but they will fancy their chances of taking all three points against a side who have now lost their last five matches.
With a record of 9 wins, 4 draws and just one defeat on their travels, Milan boast the best away record in Serie A this season. They will have to make do without talisman Zlatan Ibrahimović tomorrow, as he was handed a three-match ban for striking Bari defender Marco Rossi in last week’s 1-1 draw.
This suspension may not be as disastrous for Milan as it seems however, as Zlatan’s impact has been negligible in recent weeks. He played a huge part in Milan’s fortunes until the Winter break, but has been on the wane since then. A chance for the Swede to recharge his batteries, and a chance for Antonio Cassano (who scored the equaliser for the league leaders last week) to get some time on the pitch may be a welcome temporary arrangement for all concerned.
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| Fifty million - true or false? |
Serse Cosmi has now lost his first two games in charge of Palermo, who had serious European ambitions until their season took a nose-dive a couple of months back. His side made the news in bizarre fashion this week when club president Maurizio Zamparini responded to rumours that Napoli are interested in Palermo striker Javier Pastore by claiming that he is already considering a €50 million offer from elsewhere for Pastore. I wonder if the outspoken Zamparini is also considering whether his decision to replace former coach Delio Rossi at such a crucial stage in the season was a wise one?
While the Stadio Renzo Barbera used to be a tough place for any club to visit, Palermo’s confidence is at rock bottom right now and everything points to a Milan victory tomorrow.
Prediction – AC Milan to win – 4pts
Match odds: Palermo 13/5
Draw 23/10
AC Milan evens
Palermo: Last 5 Serie A Results
13.03.2011 – Genoa 1-0 Palermo
06.03.2011 – Lazio 2-0 Palermo
27.02.2011 – Palermo 0-7 Udinese
19.02.2011 – Bologna 1-0 Palermo
13.02.2011 – Palermo 2-4 Fiorentina
AC Milan: Last 5 Serie A Results
13.03.2011 – AC Milan 0-0 Bari
05.03.2011 – Juventus 0-1 AC Milan
28.02.2011 – AC Milan 3-0 Napoli
20.02.2011 – Chievo 1-2 AC Milan
12.02.2011 – AC Milan 4-0 Parma
