AC Milan kick off their 2026-27 Europa League campaign at San Siro on September 16 when they host Portuguese club Benfica.

Milan Underperforming Defensively Under Amorim

AC Milan have won two of their opening four Serie A fixtures since Ruben Amorim’s appointment. The Rossoneri avoided defeat in all competitive outings so far this season.

They will now need to improve defensively after conceding three goals in their previous two. Diego Moreira could be handed a start this week after scoring twice from the bench against Lazio last weekend.

Christian Pulisic should be fit enough to play after featuring for 45 minutes on Saturday. Francesco Camarda is the only player missing due to injury for Milan this week.

AC Milan predicted lineup vs Benfica (3-4-2-1): Maignan; Gila, De Winter, Pavlovic; Chukwueze, Modric, Rabiot, Estupinan; Pulisic, Moreira; Ramos

Benfica Thriving Offensively in Early Weeks

Marco Silva has quickly got his message across to Benfica players this season after taking over in the summer. The Portuguese club have recorded wins in each of their previous seven fixtures, and scored ten goals in their last three domestic outings.

Vangelis Pavlidis has enjoyed a clinical start to the new season, with the striker scoring five times in his six most recent appearances.

Gianluca Prestianni has also been in sparkling form, with four goal involvements recorded in his last three starts. Alexander Bah remains out of action due to a shoulder injury, while Jhon Duran could be fit enough for a place on the bench.

Benfica predicted lineup vs AC Milan (4-2-3-1): Soares; Banjaqui, Araujo, Lenglet, Dahl; Barrenechea, Barreiro; Silva, Prestianni, Schjelderup; Pavlidis

AC Milan vs Benfica Prediction

  • Safe Tip: Total Over 1.5 Goals
  • Odds: 1.2 (22Bet)
  • 22Bet Booking Code: CHTXT
  • Correct score prediction: AC Milan 2-2 Benfica

Key stats:

  • AC Milan’s last six fixtures have seen over 1.5 goals scored.
  • Benfica have scored at least twice in their previous six.
  • At least two goals have been scored in three of the four head-to-heads.

An entertaining clash is expected at San Siro this week, ensuring that over 1.5 goals is a standout bet. AC Milan’s last six encounters have seen at least two goals scored, with Rossoneri allowing at least one goal in four of their previous five.

Benfica’s attacking threat has seen them score at least twice in six straight fixtures, while they have also failed to keep clean sheets in four encounters over the same period. The head-to-head trends support the chances of a high-scoring encounter, with over 1.5 goals scored in three of the four clashes.

AC Milan vs Benfica Prediction, Value Tip

  • Value Tip: The Draw
  • Odds: 3.54 (22Bet)
  • 22Bet Booking Code: PCF8T

A draw is an interesting value angle on MD1 in the Europa League, as the emphasis will be on both teams making a reliable start to their respective European campaigns. Milan’s defensive record has been alarming throughout the season, allowing three goals in their last two, and trailing by two goals in their most recent outing.

Benfica will get joy on the counterattack this week, and the fact that they have scored seven in their previous two on the road can’t be overlooked. Interestingly, two of the previous three head-to-heads have ended in draws.

Verdict: Over 1.5 Goals (1.2) — AC Milan 2-2 Benfica