The Matchday 1 clash in Serie A between Milan and Cremonese will take place on August 23 at the San Siro Stadium. Milan vs. Cremonese: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Milan
Last season was disappointing for the team, finishing eighth with 63 points. As a result, Milan failed to make the top six in the standings for the first time since the 2016/17 season. However, the club showed good results in the final rounds, winning 4 out of 5 matches. Milan also had a high scoring rate in the last Serie A campaign, netting 61 goals, only behind Inter (79) and Atalanta (78) in this regard. In preparation for the season, Milan played five friendly matches, securing only two wins (1 draw, 2 losses).
During the offseason, the team parted ways with defenders Malick Thiaw, Theo Hernandez, and Emerson Royal, as well as midfielder Tijjani Reijnders and forward Noah Okafor. Additionally, defender Kyle Walker and forward Tammy Abraham left the club after their loan spells, and forward Alvaro Morata went on loan to Como. Meanwhile, Milan welcomed defenders Koni De Winter and Pervis Estupiñán, midfielders Luka Modric, Ardon Jashari, and Samuele Ricci. Notably, the team will be led by a new head coach, Massimiliano Allegri.
- The club has not lost in 12 of their last 14 home matches in Serie A (6 wins, 6 draws).
- The team scored exactly 1 or 2 goals in 6 of their last 8 home league matches.
- Both teams scored in 8 of Milan's last 11 home Serie A games.
Predicted lineup for Milan (3-4-3)
Mike Maignan – Matteo Gabbia, Fikayo Tomori, Strahinja Pavlović – Pervis Estupiñán, Youssouf Fofana, Samuele Ricci, Luka Modric – Christian Pulisic, Santiago Giménez, Alexis Saelemaekers.
Forward Rafael Leão is injured and will miss the match.
Cremonese
Last season, the club participated in Serie B, finishing fourth with 61 points and advancing to the playoffs for a chance to enter the top Italian division. Cremonese successively defeated Juve Stabia (1:2, 3:0) and Spezia (0:0, 3:2) to secure promotion. As a result, the team will play in Serie A for only the second time in the 21st century. Notably, last season, the club was effective on the road, scoring 32 goals in 19 matches, only behind Sassuolo (35). In the summer, Cremonese played three friendly matches, winning one (1 draw, 1 loss).
During the offseason, Cremonese added goalkeeper Emil Audero, defenders Filippo Terracciano and Federico Baschirotto, midfielders Warren Bondo and Alberto Grassi, as well as forwards Antonio Sanabria, Yari Vandeputte, and Alessio Zerbin. Additionally, the club appointed Davide Nicola as the new head coach.
- The team has not won in 18 of their last 19 away Serie A matches (8 draws, 10 losses).
- The club conceded at least two goals in 7 of their last 9 away games in this tournament.
- At least three goals were scored in 6 of Cremonese's last 9 away Serie A matches.
Predicted lineup for Cremonese (3-5-2)
Emil Audero – Filippo Terracciano, Federico Baschirotto, Matteo Bianchetti – Alessio Zerbin, Michele Collocolo, Warren Bondo, Yari Vandeputte, Giuseppe Pezzella – Manuel De Luca, Antonio Sanabria.
Defender Tommaso Barbieri and midfielders Franco Vázquez and Mattia Valoti will miss the match due to suspensions.
Referee
Giuseppe Collu (Italy)
Matches – 6 (Serie A, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 24;
Average yellow cards per match – 4;
Red cards shown – 0;
Average fouls per match – 29;
Penalties – 0%.
Milan vs. Cremonese: Match Prediction
From these opponents, I expect a high-scoring game. Milan rarely struggles to break down opponents' defenses at home and scores regularly. In their last 11 home Serie A matches, Milan failed to score only once, and in five of these games, the club scored at least two goals. At the same time, the team failed to keep a clean sheet in 9 of their last 11 home league matches.
During their last stint in Serie A in the 2022/23 season, Cremonese was prolific in away games, although they rarely collected points. In their last eight away matches in the Italian top flight, the club failed to score only twice, and in four of those games, the team scored at least two goals. However, they had significant defensive issues: Cremonese conceded in their last 19 away Serie A matches, and in 13 of those games, they conceded at least twice.
I think we will see an open game with plenty of goals. My prediction: Total over 2.5 goals
