The 2024 Serie A season kicks off with an exciting encounter as AC Milan hosts Torino at the iconic San Siro on August 17th.
After finishing second last season, 19 points behind their city rivals Inter, Milan is determined to make a strong start under newly appointed coach Paulo Fonseca.
Torino, on the other hand, aims to improve on their ninth-place finish with new manager Paolo Vanoli at the helm.
Match Preview
AC Milan had a solid campaign last year, accumulating 75 points and securing 22 victories.
Their impressive home form at the San Siro was a significant contributor to their success, where they scored 38 goals and conceded only 17.
However, the Rossoneri faced challenges in closing the gap with Inter, who dominated the league with just two losses throughout the season.
Torino, finishing ninth with 53 points, has been on the fringes of European qualification in recent seasons.
They struggled with consistency, particularly in front of goal, where they managed to score only 36 times—the fourth fewest in the league.
The appointment of Paolo Vanoli, who previously led Venezia to Serie A promotion, aims to revitalize the squad and boost their attacking threat.
Head to Head
Historically, Torino has had a surprising edge over AC Milan in their recent encounters.
In the last six meetings, Torino has recorded three victories, one draw, and only two losses against the Rossoneri.
Notably, Torino triumphed 3-1 in their last meeting at the Stadio Olimpico, showcasing their ability to challenge Milan.
Across these fixtures, both teams managed to score seven goals each, indicating competitive matches with limited high-scoring instances.
Team News
AC Milan has been active in the transfer market, making several significant signings to strengthen their squad.
With the departure of striker Olivier Giroud, the club has welcomed new faces such as Alex Jimenez, Alvaro Morata, Strahinja Pavlovic, and Emerson Royal.
However, the exits of Charles De Ketelare, Simon Kjaer, and Rade Krunic have left gaps that need to be filled.
For Torino, their major offseason signing has been Duvan Zapata, who is expected to provide the goal-scoring prowess that the team desperately needs.
Meanwhile, Vanoli will be looking to implement his tactics with a squad that includes a mix of experienced players and promising talents.
Prediction
Given AC Milan’s strong home record and the quality of their squad, we predict that the Rossoneri will secure a convincing victory against Torino in this opening match.
Despite Torino’s historical success against Milan, the home advantage and the new season’s optimism should see Milan emerge as the dominant force.
- Score Prediction: AC Milan 3-0 Torino
Betting Tips
AC Milan to Win: Betting on a victory for Milan is a safe bet considering their home advantage and quality.
Over 2.5 Goals: Given the attacking potential of Milan and Torino’s past scoring record against them, wagering on over 2.5 goals is recommended.
Both Teams to Score – No: With Milan’s strong defense and Torino’s recent struggles in front of goal, betting on both teams not to score could be worthwhile.
Duvan Zapata to Score Anytime: If he plays, placing a bet on Duvan Zapata to find the net could yield good returns, given his potential to make an impact.
