Preview: AC Milan vs Sassuolo - prediction, team news, lineups

[(AC Milan) Strength]:
1. AC Milan forward Christian Pulisic missed the starting lineup in the last league match due to a fever, but he still played through illness and delivered a stunning performance, scoring twice to help his team complete a remarkable comeback, showing an outstanding performance. He has now fully recovered and is expected to return to the starting XI for this match.
2. AC Milan played four Serie A matches in November, finishing with an impressive record of three wins and one draw. They secured narrow 1-0 victories over AS Roma, Inter Milan, and Lazio, three formidable opponents. In recognition of this outstanding run, head coach Massimiliano Allegri was named Serie A's Coach of the Month for November.
3. AC Milan beat Torino FC 3-2 on the road in the last league game, extending their Serie A unbeaten run to 13 games, with 9 wins and 4 draws. Their performances in the league are strong.
4. AC Milan scored 8 goals in the last 5 league games, with an average of 1.6 goals per game, scoring in every match.
5. AC Milan conceded 11 goals in 14 league games this season so far, boasting solid defense. They are one of the teams with the 2nd-fewest goals conceded in the league.
6. AC Milan received 7 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss in 9 games across all competitions this season so far, with a high win rate of 78%.
7. AC Milan have 5 wins, 2 draws, and 3 losses in the last 10 encounters between the two teams, having the upper hand.

[(AC Milan) Weakness]:
1. AC Milan striker Rafael Leao is dealing with a minor muscle injury. Forward Santiago Gimenez is ruled out due to injury, and midfielder Youssouf Fofana is also unavailable after suffering from an adductor issue.

[(US Sassuolo Calcio) Strength]:
1. Sassuolo Calcio attacker Cristian Volpato scored a goal and made an assist last time out, helping his side secure a victory. He has been directly involved in four goals across his last four appearances, showcasing excellent form and sharpness.
2. Sassuolo Calcio won 3-1 over ACF Fiorentina at home in the last league game, ending their 2-game winless run in the league.
3. Sassuolo Calcio scored 9 goals in the last 5 league matches, averaging nearly 2 goals per game, boasting full offense.

[(US Sassuolo Calcio) Weakness]:
1. Sassuolo Calcio head coach Fabio Grosso was sent off in the last league match for protesting a referee's decision and will miss the chance to coach from the dugout in this game.
2. Sassuolo Calcio's starting forward Domenico Berardi is sidelined until 2026 with a moderate tear in the flexor muscle of his right calf, while starting striker Andrea Pinamonti was forced off early in the previous match due to injury and will also miss this fixture.
3. Sassuolo Calcio conceded 7 goals in the last 5 league games, averaging 1.4 goals per game, featuring unstable defense.
4. Sassuolo Calcio received 3 wins, 1 draw, and 4 losses in 8 competitive games on the road this season so far, with a win rate of only 37.5%, showing unstable away performances.

[Tips]:
AC Milan have been in formidable shape this season, remaining unbeaten in their last 13 league matches.

The team demonstrated a strong balance between attack and defense, coupled with an especially dominant record at home.

In contrast, Sassuolo Calcio's form has been inconsistent, their defensive vulnerabilities remain evident, and their away performances have lacked strength.

With starting attackers Domenico Berardi and Andrea Pinamonti sidelined, their offensive threat is significantly diminished.

Given these circumstances, AC Milan are clear favorites to secure all three points at home.

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