Milan vs. Barcelona: Champions League Betting Preview

Both AC Milan and Barcelona have already qualified from Champions League Group H but the current holders need to be backed on Wednesday.

The San Siro hosts this clash of the two European heavyweights but their is a gulf in class and Milan were fortunate on Matchday 1 to escape from Spain with a point.

A last minute Thiago Silva equaliser in a 2-2 draw earned the Serie A side parity but Barca were dominant throughout and should be able to cope without the services of the injured Andreas Iniesta.

Pep Guardiola has such strength in midfield that Iniesta’s absences will barely be noticed and Barca will be looking to inflict more pain on a Milan side that have a very mixed record in this competition on home soil in recent years.

Wins this season over BATE and Plzen were expected but it was just one triumph in their previous nine Champions League fixtures at the famous stadium and Tottenham, Ajax, Manchester United, Arsenal and FC Zurich have all triumphed at the San Siro in the last four seasons.

Barcelona themselves have sometimes failed to fire away from home in years gone by but 4-0 and 5-0 thrashings of the Czechs and Belarusians respectively indicates they are over their travel sickness and this is brilliant Barca we mustn’t forget.

Aiming to become the first club to successfully defend the Champions League trophy, the Catalans have not lost a competitive fixture since a surprise 2-1 reversal at Real Sociedad in April and once again will call upon the services of the majestic Lionel Messi.

With 24 goals in 19 matches this season (astonishing), Messi has cemented his place as the leading player of his generation, probably of all time, and if there is one man you want on your side when the cash is down it’s the Argentine.

Milan don’t have anybody near the calibre of the Barcelona number 10, not many do, and, given their overall record, quotes of 1.80 about an away win seems reasonable to me.

2pts Back Barcelona (vs. AC Milan) @ 1.80 (Boylesports)