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Bournemouth will welcome AC Milan to the Vitality Stadium on Thursday, 22 October, for what is arguably the biggest night in the club's history.
While the Cherries have played plenty of matches with higher stakes than this, the occasion is certainly a ‘pinch-me' moment for the club's supporters.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Bournemouth vs AC Milan key stats
- Bournemouth have won both of their Europa League matches so far.
- Bournemouth have lost just once at the Vitality Stadium this season.
- More than two goals have been scored in six of Bournemouth's last eight matches.
Bournemouth vs AC Milan preview: The Cherries to make it 3/3?
Bournemouth vs AC Milan — Tale of the Tape
| Bournemouth | vs | AC Milan |
|---|---|---|
| 15th (Premier League) | Position | 4th (Serie A) |
| 6 | Points | 15 |
| 9 | Goals For | 14 |
| 13 | Goals Against | 7 |
| 1 | Clean Sheets | 2 |
| 10th | Home / Away Rank | 7th |
Bournemouth's chances of winning this match depend as much on the atmosphere at the Vitality Stadium as they do on the performances of the players on the pitch.
While not known for being an intimidating stadium, its compact nature means Bournemouth fans can make life difficult for AC Milan on Thursday night, and Marco Rose will be desperate for them to turn up.
In terms of team performance, things have been looking up for the Cherries in recent weeks after a difficult start under Rose. After beating Sunderland 2-0 on Sunday, Bournemouth have now won two consecutive matches for the first time this season.
Rose, who was brought in due to his European experience, has excelled in the Europa League so far, leading the club to six points from two matches, which has left them in an excellent position in terms of knockout-round qualification.
For the match against AC Milan, Rose is without Alex Scott, Julian Araujo and Eli Junior Kroupi.
As for the visitors, this is the first time Ruben Amorim has returned to England since his disastrous spell as Manchester United manager came to an end.
While he was perhaps fortunate to land the AC Milan job after his Old Trafford tenure, Amorim has done well so far in Italy. After seven Serie A matches, his side are fourth in the league and have yet to taste defeat.
The only loss of the Amorim tenure to date came against Benfica in their first Europa League match, making this a more important game, in the context of qualification, for the visitors than for the hosts.
Amorim will be without three players on Thursday, with Matteo Gabbia and Alexis Saelemaekers out injured and Philippo Terracciano suspended.
Bournemouth vs AC Milan form guide & betting tips
| Bournemouth | vs | AC Milan |
|---|---|---|
WLLWW |
Form | LWDWW |
| 8 | Goals For | 11 |
| 7 | Goals Against | 5 |
WW |
UEFA Europa League | LW |
Whispers predicts: Bournemouth 2-1 AC Milan
Both teams are in good form, but Bournemouth seem perfectly set up to do well in Europe this season, while Amorim's record against English teams is dismal. Bournemouth to win has been best priced at 11/10.
More than two goals have been scored in three of AC Milan's last four matches. Over 2.5 goals has been priced at 3/4.
Evanilson has scored in each of his last three Bournemouth appearances. Evanilson to score anytime has been best priced at 2/1.
> Bournemouth to win at 11/10 (2.10) | Likelihood: High
> Over 2.5 goals at 3/4 (1.75) | Likelihood: High
> Evanilson to score anytime at 2/1 (3.00) | Likelihood: Medium