Newcastle vs AC Milan lineups, results and betting tips brought to you by oddschecker expert Scott Thornton.
20:00 Wednesday
Newcastle have been excellent at St. James’s Park this season but only three points will do as they look to salvage 2nd place in their Champions League group. They take on European royalty in the form of AC Milan and even a win may not be enough for them to earn a place in the last 16.
Newcastle vs AC Milan Stats
- Newcastle have won 23 of their 34 matches in all competitions since the start of last season. They are averaging 1.91 goals per game over that period.
- Eddie Howe’s side have the highest home xG in the Premier League with 20.44.
- Milan have won just four of their 10 away matches this season but they are scoring 1.5 goals per game.
Newcastle vs AC Milan Prediction
Newcastle have been hammered in their last two matches. They were beaten 3-0 by Everton at Goodison Park before travelling to Tottenham and losing 4-1. The defeats mean they are trailing behind in the race for the top four but there is still plenty of football to be played.
Eddie Howe’s men have played their best stuff in front of their own fans. They have won nine of their 11 matches at St. James’s Park so far this season. Their only defeats have come against Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund. The latter has proven to be crucial in the group stages of this competition but there is still hope for the Geordies as we approach matchday six.
Milan succumbed to defeat against Atalanta at the weekend and they are staring down the barrel of being eliminated from European competition altogether. Stefano Pioli’s side made it to the semi-finals of the Champions League but they would have known that early elimination was a possibility when they were drawn in the group of death.
The Rossoneri had to settle for a point when these sides met at the San Siro. The home side had 25 shots, nine of which were on target but were unable to break the deadlock. Newcastle managed just one shot on target and will have to show far more cutting-edge in this clash.
The Magpies are averaging 2.18 goals in their home games in all competitions this season. They have wilted in recent away matches but this is the perfect opportunity for them to set the record straight. The do-or-die scenario they find themselves in should lead to an enthralling game. As a result, I’m betting both teams to score and over 2.5 goals in the match at odds of 21/20 with bet365.
Newcastle are in the midst of an injury crisis and they have been shaky in defence as a result. Tottenham racked up 23 shots against them at the weekend and finished the match with an xG of 3.81. Milan shouldn’t have as much joy when they travel to Tyneside but they have a wealth of attacking players that could get at Howe’s makeshift defence.
Milan have played 20 away matches in all competitions this season and there has been an average of 3.2 goals per game. They are without a win in their last three on the road after two 2-2 draws and a 3-2 defeat.
Both teams have scored in five of Milan’s last six matches in all competitions. The exception was their 1-0 win over Fiorentina.
