Sampdoria vs AC Milan: Preview and Prediction

Sampdoria vs AC Milan
2016/17 Italian Serie A.
Date: Friday, 16 September 2016
Kick-Off: 19:45 UK,
Venue: Stadio Luigi Ferraris (Genoa).

Both Sampdoria and AC Milan will be looking to rebound as they lock horns at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris this Friday.

The Blucerchiati and the Rossoneri will be the first teams in action to commence round four of the 2016/2017 Serie A season, and both teams are coming into this match off the backs of losses. For Sampdoria, they will be feeling especially aggrieved following a 3-2 defeat to Roma, which snapped their 100 per cent win record. Samp fans surely must have figured that their team were departing the Stadio Olimpico with a point in hand. That is, until iconic striker Francesco Totti – who will be 40 later this month – rolled back the years with a coolly taken penalty to snatch a win for Luciano Spalletti’s side.

As for Milan, a promising 3-2 win over Torino has been followed by two straight defeats to Napoli, and most recently, Udinese. Their 1-0 loss to the Zebrette was the first Serie A league defeat at the Stadio San Siro since May 2007. Not exactly the way a team desperate to get back into European competition want to start off proceedings – especially considering the tricky run of fixtures looming on the horizon for Vincenzo Montella’s side.

Next up for the struggling Diavolo will be clashes with Lazio, Fiorentina, Juventus, and Sassuolo. As Rossoneri supporters unfortunately know, the plucky Neroverdi have become Milan’s bogey side since arriving in the top flight in 2013. Meanwhile, beating the reigning Serie A champions is always a tall task. As such, the visitors will be really hoping to right the wobbly ship on Friday evening in Genoa as they look to start working their way up the table.

Sampdoria vs AC Milan: Head-to-Head Statistics

• Sampdoria have not beaten AC Milan since August 2012.
• Since then, Friday’s hosts have drawn three and lost four of their last seven meetings across all competitions.
• The Blucerchiati last earned a home win versus the Rossoneri in April 2010.
• The 70 per cent of Samp’s wins were at home last season; Milan won 42 per cent of their road fixtures.
• The Diavolo have yet to keep a clean sheet in Serie A this term
• Sampdoria are currently ranked 5th whilst Milan sit in 15th
• In their last 20 home fixtures against teams below them, Samp have won 12, drawn eight, and lost none.
• Their last 20 away fixtures against teams above them, Milan have lost 13, drawn six, and won just once.

Sampdoria vs AC Milan: Prediction

As noted before, Sampdoria and Milan are coming into this game having lost their last matches and both managers will be demanding a reaction from their respective squads. In their past five meetings across all more competitions, the Rossoneri have outscored Samp 10 to four, but their away record against teams in the top half of the table is not encouraging. In fact, they have also won just one out of their past 20 matches against teams ranked one through ten.

Sampdoria will look to capitalize on Milan’s inconsistent form and build off their solid showing against Roma. They should have enough to rebound following their loss in the Eternal City to record a home win against a Diavolo side devoid of confidence.

Sampdoria vs AC Milan: Betting tips

Over 2.5 goals at 17/20 (1.85)
Both teams to score at 7/10 (1.70)
Sampdoria to win at 21/10 (3.10).