UEFA CL: Chelsea vs AC Milan|H2H |Team News| Prediction

The Champions League group stage will reach the midway point as Chelsea host AC Milan in Group E as the top and the bottom teams meet one another in an exciting clash at Stamford Bridge. 

While the Londoners will be in search of their first win of the Champions League season, Stefano Pioli’s side will look to establish an iron grip in the group with their second win of the season.

• AC Milan won 3-1 on Matchday 1 against Dinamo Zagreb, having earlier drawn 1-1 against Red Bull Salzburg
• Chelsea lost in their opening match against Dinamo Zagreb by 1-0 before they drew 1-1 at home against Red Bull Salzburg
• This will be the first competitive meeting between the sides in 23 years
   

Chelsea vs AC Milan Head to Head

The two teams have met on only two occasions in competitive football, with both meetings coming before the turn of the millennium. And on both occasions, the affairs ended in stalemate as the clash in September 1999 at Stamford Bridge ended goalless while in October 1999 they drew 1-1. 

On the latter occasion, an Oliver Bierhoff goal in the 74th minute was canceled out in three minutes as Dennis Wise equalized in the 77th minute.

Wednesday’s affair will see the return of old foes Oliver Giroud who served as a Chelsea player until their Champions League winning campaign in 2021. Fikayo Tomori will also return as the head-to-head contest will have direct bearings on Chelsea’s fate in the Champions League.

Chelsea vs AC Milan Head to Head

Chelsea vs AC Milan Domestic Form

Chelsea recently sacked Thomas Tuchel and successor Graham Potter made his Premier League debut on the weekend after he had his first two domestic matches postponed. 

They had to dig deep to win on the weekend as a 90th-minute winner from Conor Gallagher saw them win 2-1 against Crystal Palace. So far in the Premier League season, they have amassed four wins and a draw that accounts for 13 points in seven matches.

AC Milan’s defeat to Napoli before the international break had huge consequences in their early bid to defend the Serie A title. As things stand, their weekend 3-1 win over Empoli has seen them take the fifth spot in the Serie A table.

 They will face Juventus on the weekend and will therefore protect some of their players in the Chelsea game. So far they have picked 17 points from eight matches, consisting of five wins and two draws.

Chelsea vs AC Milan I Group Stage so far

The two-time champions Chelsea have so far endured a tough time in the Champions League having drawn one and lost the other. A draw or a defeat in Wednesday’s encounter could have huge consequences on Chelsea’s bid to win a third title. 

Graham Potter’s side currently sits on one point from two games and matches against AC Milan could present a tough task, so a win would be the need of the hour for the West London outfit.

AC Milan started on a disappointing note in the Champions League group stage when they drew against Red Bull Salzburg on Matchday 1. However, they made amends for that drop points beating Dinamo Zagreb 3-1 on Matchday 2. 

As a result of the win, the seven-time European Champions sit at top of the pile in Group E. If they get maximum points from their next two matches, they will fancy their chances of qualification to the knock stage as group winners.

Chelsea vs AC Milan I Team News 

Chelsea

Out: Edouard Mendy (knee), N'Golo Kante

Doubtful: Marc Cucurella and Carney Chukwuemeka

AC Milan 

Out: Theo Hernandez, Mike Maignan, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Divock Origi, Junior Messias and Alessandro Florenzi

Doubtful: Simon Kjaer, Alexis Saelemaekers, and Davide Calabria 

Predicted Chelsea Lineup: 

Kepa; James, Fofana, Silva, Chilwell; Mount, Kovacic, Gallagher; Havertz; Aubameyang, Sterling

Predicted AC Milan Lineup: 

Tatarusanu; Dest, Kalulu, Tomori, Ballo-Toure; Tonali, Bennacer; Krunic, De Ketelaere, Leao; Giroud

Prediction: Chelsea 1-1 AC Milan