Bologna vs AC Milan Predictions

• Milan have won 12 of their last 17 visits to Bologna (D5)
• The visitors won four of their final five games last term and they’ve significantly strengthened
• Milan boss Stefano Pioli has won all three season openers at the helm

Milan are title contenders

While they had to rally last term just to make the top four, AC Milan head into the 2023/24 as title contenders. In a summer of transfer stalemates in Italy, the Rossoneri are spending and their recent recruitment record bodes well for them going into this campaign.

The Rossoneri won four of their final five league games last term and they look very impressive heading into their opening game. Sandro Tonali’s departure was big but it allowed them to do plenty of business and the addition of Tijjani Reijnders could cover for Tonali’s Tyneside switch.

In attack, Milan have added Christian Pulisic, Samuel Chukwueze and Noah Okafor, while they already had a solid back five including Mike Maignan – arguably the best goalkeeper in Italy following Andre Onana’s departure. Given their quality, expectations are high.

Milan to make perfect start

The visitors have won all three of their season openers under Stefano Pioli, while they have a brilliant record at Bologna. The Rossoneri have suffered just one loss across the last 27 league clashes between the pair, while they’re unbeaten across 17 trips to this ground (W12).

Bologna had a fine home record last term but this Milan side have taken a step forward and I see them having too much quality for the hosts. The creative options they have off the bench look great, while they have the potential to overwhelm Bologna from the start.

The Rossoneri led Serie A in terms of goals in the first 30 minutes last season with 21, so a man who is set to come straight into the starting 11 could benefit. Ruben Loftus-Cheek was shunted around during his last couple of years at Chelsea, but in his breakthrough campaign in 2018/19 he hit 10 goals across the league and Europa League in only 14 starts.

The Englishman has made positive noises in preseason about his potential as a number eight in this Milan side and his runs from deep could be a real threat behind Olivier Giroud.