AC Milan have made an unbeaten start to Serie A, but they remain outside the top four. They’ll be hoping to close the gap on the leaders when they entertain Atalanta at San Siro.

Cissè Emerging as Bright Attacking Talent for Milan

A 4-0 victory away to Salzburg was a welcome boost for AC Milan on Thursday night in the Europa League. Alphadjo Cissè was the star of the show with a hat-trick. The teenager has also netted twice in five Serie A outings, and he’s pushing for a starting role on Sunday.

Otherwise, many of Thursday’s starters will rotate out, making space for Luka Modrić, Christian Pulisic and Gonçalo Ramos. All three came off the bench in Austria, with Ramos scoring in the 72nd minute.

Matteo Gabbia and Alexis Saelemaekers are the only confirmed injury absentees for the hosts. Yunus Musah and Adrien Rabiot could complete the midfield trio alongside Modrić. Rabiot has impressed with three goals and two assists in six league appearances.

AC Milan predicted lineup vs Atalanta (4-3-3): Maignan; Gila, De Winter, Pavlović, Estupiñán; Musah, Modrić, Rabiot; Pulisic, Ramos, Cissè.

Selection Issues Mounting for Atalanta

There was Conference League action on Thursday for Atalanta, who beat Pafos 3-1. Maurizio Sarri was unable to count upon the injured Giorgio Scalvini and Franck Kessié in that game, and both could also miss out this weekend.

Giacomo Raspadori picked up a knock against the Cypriot outfit and may rotate out of the attack. Nikola Krstović is likely to return up front. The 26-year-old has top-scored for La Dea with three goals in six Serie A appearances.

The visitors will be without the suspended Eljif Elmas, while defenders Isak Hien and Odilon Kossounou are injured. Key man Charles De Ketelaere should continue on the right flank. The Belgian will be hoping to cause problems for Milan left-back Pervis Estupiñán.

Atalanta predicted lineup vs AC Milan (4-3-3): Carnesecchi; Zappacosta, Kristensen, Kolašinac, Bernasconi; Samardžić, Gaetano, Éderson; De Ketelaere, Krstović, Rowe.

AC Milan vs Atalanta Prediction

  • Safe Tip: AC Milan to win or draw
  • Odds: 1.268 (22Bet)
  • Correct score prediction: AC Milan 2-1 Atalanta
  • 22Bet Booking Code: ER2D6

Key stats:

  • AC Milan have only lost one of their eight competitive fixtures this season.
  • Atalanta have lost three of their past four Serie A matches.
  • It’s just two wins in nine away league fixtures for the visitors in a run that stretches back to February.

Milan have only conceded 0.83 goals per 90 minutes in Serie A. They have kept clean sheets in both home league outings, while Atalanta are without a point on their travels.

The main risk when betting on the home team comes from their poor recent record against this opposition. The Rossoneri have lost three of the past four meetings at San Siro. However, La Dea are much less convincing this term, and they have many absentees. Backing the hosts to avoid defeat is the smart play at 1.268.

AC Milan vs Atalanta Prediction, Value Tip

  • Value Tip: AC Milan to score over 1.5 goals
  • Odds: 1.75 (22Bet)
  • 22Bet Booking Code: G4KM7

Given their defensive selection issues, Atalanta will struggle to keep it tight. They’ve kept just one clean sheet in six league outings this season.

Milan have many attacking options, and they’re averaging 1.88 goals per game across all competitions. They offer value to score over 1.5 goals at 1.75.

Verdict: AC Milan to win or draw (1.268) — AC Milan 2-1 Atalanta.