Milan v Barcelona: Expect a shutout in comfortable away win

AC Milan and Barcelona renew Champions League acquaintances for the fifth time in only two seasons, with the Italian home side 9/2 to win this first-leg tie.

Their failure to win any home matches in the group stage of this year’s competition though, will deter many punters from investing in Massimiliano Allegri’s men.

They did manage a draw in one of their two San Siro encounters with Barcelona last term though, so some could be tempted by the 16/5 odds regarding another stalemate.

What looks wisest though, is to side with the travelling team here, who are 8/15 to win in Milan for the second season running.

Barca scored six times in their three Group G away games, which would suggest they may be primed to notch twice in this match.

They are 15/2 to win 2-0, and that makes much appeal in the aftermath of the Spaniards’ three group-stage clean sheets.

Also, the 11/10 that Tito Vilanova’s men score two or three goals in the game tempts hugely, considering such a bet would have paid dividends four times in European Barca games this term.

Punters who aren’t convinced the visitors will stop at two or three strikes though, can alternatively snap up the 21/10 odds about an away win featuring over 2.5 total goals.

As aforementioned, they boast an impressive European defensive record this season to compliment their vast attacking prowess, and could be worth investment at 6/4 to keep a clean sheet here.

A meatier 2/1 is attributed to the possibility of an away win in which Milan don’t score, and with the Rossoneri bagging only one European home goal this campaign, that too seems a terrific bet.

As ever, Lionel Messi leads the betting to break the deadlock for Barcelona, with the diminutive Argentinian a 9/4 hope to score first.

Messi has 46 goals in 34 games in all competitions so far this season, and we wouldn’t attempt to deter punters from confiding in him to open the scoring.

If Messi does score the first or last goal, punters will get their money back on losing first scorer bets as a free bet.

Therefore, at a longer price, Alexis Sanchez may be prove a value punt at 6/1.

Sanchez recently got back on the goal trail in La Liga, and a Milan backline that is certainly not renowned for speed is likely to struggle against his electric pace.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.