Action in Group F in the Champions League concludes with three top teams battling for one remaining round of 16 ticket. Newcastle United and AC Milan meet up at St. James’ Park, with both teams needing a victory.
Bookmaker Betfred offers odds at 1.44 for Newcastle and 2.63 for Milan to win in the draw no bet market.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: December 12th, 6:30 P.M. (EST)
The two sides go head to head with both teams on five points. They have PSG ahead of them on seven points, and Dortmund, which hosts the Parisians on Wednesday, has already secured a spot in the next round by amassing 10 points in five games.
Newcastle enjoyed a strong start on their return to the Champions League stage, but the Magpies have tallied only one point from the past three European outings. Eddie Howe’s side has had some incredibly bad luck with injuries, and battling on two fronts has taken a toll on Newcastle, with the team’s Premier League form also dipping.
Milan’s league form hasn’t been great either lately, sparking speculation that Stefano Pioli could face the sack if the team gets dumped out of the Champions League. In Serie A, the Rossoneri have won only twice in their last seven matches, and things haven’t gone well for Milan in Europe either, with Pioli seeing his men score in only two matches.
As the draw won’t be a good enough result on Wednesday, Milan players definitely need to find their scoring boots. Veteran Olivier Giroud is expected to lead the line, with Rafael Leao and Samuel Chukwueze supporting him from the wings. The big Frenchman has built himself a reputation as a big-game player and now is the perfect time for him to show it again.
Like Newcastle, Milan is also battling a number of injuries, and as it stands, Fikayo Tomori is currently the team’s only fit central defender. A mixed and matched back-line could face major difficulties in a hostile atmosphere at St. James’ Park.
Howe’s team has been outstanding on home turf all season, failing to win only two games across all competitions. Having the fans’ backing will be a major plus in Wednesday’s big encounter. However, Milan definitely has more experience playing these types of games and this will work in the visitors’ favor. The stage looks perfectly set for a classic Champions League match, with neither side having nothing to lose but everything to gain.
