The Matchday 1 encounter 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 for the first time since the 2016/17 season. However, the club showed strong form in the final rounds, winning 4 of their last 5 matches. Milan also boasted a high scoring rate in the previous Serie A campaign, netting 61 goals, only behind Inter (79) and Atalanta (78). During preseason, Milan played five friendlies, securing only two victories (1 draw, 2 losses).
In 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 after their loan spells, while striker Alvaro Morata went on loan to Como. Meanwhile, Milan welcomed defenders Koni De Winter and Pervis Estupinan, midfielders Luka Modric, Ardon Jashari, and Samuele Ricci, and forward Victor Boniface. Notably, Massimiliano Allegri will be the new head coach.
- 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 previous 8 home league games.
- Both teams scored in 8 of Milan's last 11 home Serie A matches.
Predicted lineup for Milan (4-3-3)
Mike Maignan – Alex Jimenez, Fikayo Tomori, Strahinja Pavlovic, Pervis Estupinan – Youssouf Fofana, Samuele Ricci, Luka Modric – Christian Pulisic, Santiago Jimenez, Alexis Saelemaekers.
Forward Rafael Leao is injured and will miss the match.
Cremonese
Last season, the club competed in Serie B, finishing fourth with 61 points, earning a playoff spot for promotion to Italy's top division. Cremonese defeated Juve Stabia (1:2, 3:0) and Spezia (0:0, 3:2) to secure their promotion. As a result, the team will play in Serie A for only the second time in the 21st century. Notably, in the previous season, the club was prolific on the road, scoring 32 goals in 19 matches, second only to Sassuolo (35). Over the summer, Cremonese played three friendlies, securing one win (1 draw, 1 loss).
During the offseason, Cremonese added goalkeeper Emil Audero, defenders Filippo Terracciano and Federico Baschirotto, midfielders Warren Bondo and Alberto Grassi, and 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 matches in Serie A (8 draws, 10 losses).
- The club conceded at least two goals in 7 of their previous 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 – Francesco Folino, Federico Baschirotto, Matteo Bianchetti – Alessio Zerbin, Michele Collocolo, Alberto Grassi, Yari Vandeputte, Giuseppe Pezzella – Manuel De Luca, Antonio Sanabria.
Defender Tommaso Barbieri and midfielders Franco Vazquez 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
I expect a high-scoring game from these opponents. Milan rarely struggles to break down defenses at home and consistently finds the net. In their last 11 home Serie A matches, Milan failed to score only once, and in five of those games, they scored at least two goals. At the same time, the team failed to keep a clean sheet in 9 of their previous 11 home league matches.
During their last stint in Serie A in the 2022/23 season, Cremonese was prolific in away games, although they seldom earned points. In their last eight away matches in Italy's top flight, the club failed to score only twice, and in four of those games, they scored at least two goals. However, defensive issues were evident, as Cremonese conceded in 19 consecutive away Serie A matches, allowing at least two goals in 13 of those games.
I believe this match will feature open play and plenty of goals. My prediction: Total over 2.5 goals
