UEFA Champions League Betting Preview: AC Milan vs. Newcastle United

December 13, 2023

Newcastle United take on AC Milan in a crucial Champions League clash at St James' Park on Wednesday night.

Tied on five points in the Group F standings, Newcastle United currently have the edge over the Rossoneri on goal difference.

AC Milan and Newcastle were involved in a goalless draw during their maiden meeting at San Siro in September, where the Magpies faced a 25-shot onslaught and still left Italy with a point.

Newcastle United Betting Preview (-110 at Everygame)

The Magpies must win and hope Kylian Mbappe and Co. drop points at Borussia Dortmund in order to progress through to the last-16. A result would guarantee European football for Eddie Howe's side after the New Year, whether that be in the Champions League or Europa League while a loss would see them exit European competition before Christmas.

Domestically, Eddie Howe's side have suffered a 4-1 defeat at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in Sunday's late kick-off. Newcastle are seventh in the Premier League, level on points with Brighton (8^th) and seven points off the top four already.

To be fair, Newcastle's injury crisis has given Eddie Howe a real headache amid a hectic schedule. Howe's men are fighting across multiple competitions but have struggled recently in the Premier League with consecutive away defeats at Everton and Tottenham Hotspur.

Newcastle United will take on a free-scoring Fulham side in the Premier League next weekend, but first of all, Eddie Howe's men will be looking to strengthen their defense if they are to succeed against AC Milan in midweek.

The Magpies will have played 10 games in 31 days by the time they welcome Nottingham Forest at St James' Park on Boxing Day.

They have lost back-to-back matches by an aggregate scoreline of 7-1 since Nick Pope's injury against Manchester United earlier this month. Pope is expected to be out for around four months in the latest injury setback to hit the English team.

Elsewhere, Sven Botman, Matt Targett, Dan Burn, Jacob Murphy, Elliot Anderson, Joe Willock and summer signing Harvey Barnes are all absent for Newcastle through injury.

Moreover, Emil Krafth is one of four senior first-team players to miss out on the Champions League squad for the group stage. The list also includes goalkeeper Mark Gillespie, full-back Javier Manquillo and midfielder Matt Ritchie, while the ex-AC Milan midfielder Sandro Tonali is banned from football until next season.

The Magpies have some exciting youngsters making strides in the first team under Eddie Howe and Lewis Miley is one of them. The 17-year-old midfielder had the opportunity to start Newcastle's last five league matches as well as in the 1-1 Champions League draw at PSG last month.

However, Miley could make way for Sean Longstaff, who recovered from an ankle injury and Eddie Howe will desperately need to revitalize his exhausted starting XI.

Callum Wilson also recovered from a hamstring injury and the experienced England forward was introduced as a second half substitute at Tottenham.

AC Milan Betting Preview (+260 at Everygame)

Failing to win any of their last four away games in all competitions, AC Milan travel to the North East of England with hopes to extend their European campaign beyond the New Year.

In order to qualify for the Champions League last-16, AC Milan must beat Newcastle on Tyneside and also need Paris Saint-Germain to lose to Borussia Dortmund in Germany.

Stefano Pioli's side sit third in the Serie A table, nine points behind arch rivals Inter Milan, who are the leaders after 15 games.

The punishment of failing to win means a Champions League exit and European elimination altogether for The Rossoneri. They will go into their final group stage game against Newcastle ranked in fourth place, but can still qualify for the knockout stages should they beat Eddie Howe's side and if Paris Saint-Germain lose to Borussia Dortmund at the same time.

In a huge boost - Stefano Pioli has confirmed that AC Milan star Rafael Leao is fit and ready to start at St James’ Park. Leao's involvement means that Samuel Chukwueze will likely drop out of the starting line-up and Pulisic would be moved to the right-flank - his preferred position.

Captain Davide Calabria was sent-off late in the dramatic 3-2 loss at Atalanta but he's eligible for the crucial Champions League clash on Wednesday night, a game which the coach knows Milan have to win.

Christian Pulisic boasts five goals and three assists in 13 Serie A appearances so far this season, but the USMNT international is yet to contribute to a goal in his five Champions League matches.

With Malick Thiaw, Pierre Kalulu and veteran Simon Kjaer all sidelined, Theo Hernandez could be set to once again deputize at centre-back as he did against Atalanta on Sunday.

Luka Jovic has come off the bench to score in Bergamo and the Serbian forward has now scored in back-to-back games for AC Milan to finally end his goal scoring drought.

Possible Starting Lineups of Newcastle United and AC Milan

Newcastle United: Martin Dubravka - Kieran Trippier, Jamaal Lascelles, Fabian Schar, Tino Livramento - Sean Longstaff, Bruno Guimarães, Joelinton - Miguel Almirón, Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon. (4-3-3)

AC Milan: Mike Maignan - Davide Calabria, Fikayo Tomori, Theo Hernandez, Alessandro Florenzi - Yunus Musah, Tijjani Reijnders, Ruben Loftus-Cheek - Christian Pulisic, Olivier Giroud, Rafael Leao. (4-3-3)

Spooky Express Betting Prediction

It's simple. Newcastle United must beat AC Milan to have any hope of remaining in the Champions League and even then, it might not be enough. The same goes for the Italians.

Inspired by the Toon Army, Newcastle United will have to be on top form to outsmart AC Milan in Wednesday's must-win Champions League clash. Yet, we're backing the home side to clinch a precious win, galvanized by the electric atmosphere at St James' Park.

Spooky Express Free Play: Newcastle United -110 at Everygame for 6/10 Units

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