AC Milan vs Newcastle tips: Magpies to face Champions League reality check at San Siro
- Robbie Savage
- 18 September 2023
Former Premier League midfielder Robbie Savage expects Newcastle to mark their European return on a losing note away in Milan on Tuesday afternoon (1745 BST kick-off).
Newcastle travelling to Milan, it’s going to be a tough game. AC Milan got hammered 5-1 against Inter at the weekend but Newcastle, they bounced back with a win over Brentford.
I think it’s going to be tough, although AC Milan’s record against English teams isn’t great. They’ve only won one of their last 11 meetings against English teams. The last one was against Spurs last season.
I think they’ll beat Newcastle, I think they’ll bounce back from the disappointment against Inter in the derby.
I think both teams to score, I’m going to go with AC Milan three, Newcastle one.
Robbie’s Pick: AC Milan 3-1 Newcastle
Team news
Fikayo Tomoro’s red card against Roma saw him miss Milan’s weekend defeat to Inter, but he’ll return to partner Simon Kjaer in the heart of defence on Tuesday.
Rafael Leao, Olivier Giroud and Christian Pulisic have eight goals in four matches between them this season.
There’s a familiar face in the middle of the park, where Ruben Loftus-Cheek will likely partner Tijjani Reijnders and Rae Krunic an energetic three-man midfield.
Sandro Tonali, Alexander Isak and Miguel Almiron watched Newcastle beat Brentford 1-0 from the bench on Sunday and all three could return to the starting 11.
Tonali is likely to partner Bruno Guimaraes and Sean Longstaff in midfield against his former employer, with Kieran Trippier, Sven Botman, Fabian Schar and Dan Burn continuing in defence.
Newcastle Planet Sport Bet special offer: Newcastle to win & Isak to score a goal
Key stats
- AC Milan beat Tottenham 1-0 on aggregate in last season's round of 16 but also lost 2-0 and 3-0 to Chelsea in the group stages.
- The Italian side have won just seven of their previous 25 Champions League matches, scoring one or fewer goals in 20 of those.
- Newcastle United are making their first appearance in the Champions League since losing to Partizan Belgrade in the 2003/04 qualifying round.
- Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali played nearly every minute of Milan’s Champions League campaign last season.
Suggested bets
Newcastle United will make their first Champions League appearance since the 2003/04 season. The Magpies didn’t make it past Partizan Belgrade in the qualifying round back then.
Last season’s fourth-place finish under Eddie Howe represents remarkable progress from their flirt with relegation 18 months ago.
How Newcastle will fare at this level and how quickly they’ll adapt on the night is pure speculation.
Previously the Premier League’s meanest defence, the Magpies conceded in 14 of 15 before beating Brentford 1-0.
It’s also worth noting that they’ve conceded in each of their previous 11 Premier League away matches, shipping two or more against Man City, Aston Villa, Leeds and Brighton.
Milan are not short of goals but have won just seven of their previous 25 Champions League matches and have scored one or fewer goals in 20 of those outings.
Nevertheless, Pioli's men hold a significant edge when it comes to European experience. That, coupled with home advantage, makes them serious favourites on Tuesday night.
With that in mind, backing the hosts to get the victory is the way to go.
