At the start of the season Milan were one of the challengers for the Scudetto but right now the Rossoneri are the ones to be challenged for the Serie A title. After a somewhat unconvincing start both in the league and in the Champions League, Masimilliano Allegri’s side have picked up momentum and are brushing aside all challenges.
Milan’s narrow 1-0 win against Inter in the Derby della Madonnina last weekend was their seventh in eight league fixtures and put them six points ahead of the Italian and European champions. It also maintained the Diavolo’s one-point lead over second-placed Lazio as they have 26 points from 12 matches.
On Saturday evening Milan host Fiorentina and will be strong favourites to pick up yet another victory. The 2004 Italian champions have won four of their six home league matches and have conceded just five. With Zlatan Ibrahimovic in red-hot form and confidence exalted to the sky, they will be the favourites to win against the visitors from Florence.
Improvement Continues
Fiorentina’s season had started on the wrong foot with the Viola flirting with relegation at one point. However, coach Sinisa Mihajlovic seems to have regained control of the ship and thing are gradually improving.
Last weekend the Gigliati defeated Cesena 1-0 in Florence to collect their fourth home win of the league campaign and climbed up to 12th in the standings with 15 points, four clear of the relegation zone.
Nevertheless, Fiorentina have a wretched record away from Florence as they have yet to register a win on the road. A victory in Milan would be miraculous but the fact that they would start the match as underdogs could put them in an advantageous position.
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Milan
Pato, Inzaghi and Oddo are out due to injuries and Abate is suspended. Allegri could go with a 4-3-2-1 formation that will see Robinho get relegated to the bench and Ibrahimovic start as the lone striker up front with Ronaldinho and Seedorf playing behind him.
Fiorentina
Frey, Montolivo, Jovetic, Zanetti, Felipe and Mutu are unavailable because of injuries. Mihajlovic is likely to opt for a 4-2-3-1 formation with Gilardino as the only striker and Santana, Ljajic and Vargas playing behind him.
Prediction
Milan are in breathtaking form of late and their victory over Inter last weekend will have inflated their confidence. It is hard to envisage a defeat for the Rossoneri at San Siro. Fiorentina are a tricky side and could make it tough but Allegri’s team have enough quality to bag all three points.
Milan 2-0 Fiorentina 
