Striking cult heroes turned coaches clash as Milan host Viola

The away side has won four of the last five meetings between AC Milan and Fiorentina. Recent history should make Vincenzo Montella’s Viola a really tempting price at 11/4 with Coral to win at the San Siro on Sunday, then.

Fiorentina are searching for the right formula, however, and still cannot get first-choice strike pairing Mario Gomez and Giuseppe Rossi fit. Montella has tinkered incessantly with formations and personnel, just like compatriot coaches Cesare Prandelli and Claudio Ranieri who both managed the Viola previously.

Only Serie A champions Juventus have beaten Milan this term, meanwhile, and that is why Filippo Inzaghi’s Rossoneri are even-money favourites to win and buck the recent trend of away day delight in this fixture. A draw is priced at 23/10.

Milan have Japan star Keisuke Honda in red hot form too. Inzaghi’s 4-2-3-1 setup is definitely getting the best out of him. Honda has three goals in his last two games, and six in Serie A this term. Attractive odds of 11/5 say he will score again anytime here.

Elsewhere in the Rossoneri attack is Chelsea loanee Fernando Torres. He is a 5/1 chance to net the opener, although Giampaolo Pazzini may be a better bet at 2/1 in the anytime market against his former club.

For Fiorentina, former West Bromwich Albion midfielder Borja Valero loves playing at the San Siro, as he has netted on both of his last two visits to the iconic arena. Why not back the Spaniard again, particularly if punters fancy the away team to keep up winning these encounters, for a goal here at a fantastic 5/1?

In the absence of Gomez and Rossi, more of an onus has fallen on Montella’s wide players. Colombia’s World Cup star Juan Cuadrado is 14/5 to score anytime, while Peru international Juan Vargas grabbed the opener in Milan last term, and is 12/1 to do so again.

Up front, Slovenia’s Josip Ilicic has been a makeshift option, but is struggling to make an impact. This rather mirrors the Viola’s league away form. Montella has only masterminded one victory, over AC’s near neighbours Atalanta, this term.