Table-topping titans AC Milan meet Juventus as Allegri returns

AC Milan, 16/1 chances to win Serie A outright with Coral, have a 100 per cent record in Italy under Filippo Inzaghi this season. So do even-money title favourites, reigning champions and upcoming opponents Juventus, though.

Massimiliano Allegri (Max to his friends) has succeeded Antonio Conte as boss of the Turin giants, despite the dismal downturn Milan took under his charge, which led to his dismissal from the San Siro in January.

A Scudetto winner with the Rossoneri in 2011, Allegri subsequently sold off all their top talents and thoroughly failed to replace them. No wonder journalists use the euphemism of ‘divisive figure’ when talking about him, then.

Overlooked in favour of Conte for the top job of Italy national boss, Allegri has a tough act to follow at the Old Lady. He will take heart from Juve’s wonderful recent record against Milan, however. It’s four wins on the spin for the team from Turin in all competitions in this fixture, including a Serie A double over the Rossoneri last term.

Juventus are worthy 11/10 favourites for this encounter then, and 11/1 chances to repeat the 2-0 scoreline they recorded at the San Siro back in March. Former Manchester United and City star Carlos Tevez netted last that day, and bagged a winning Champions League brace in midweek. The Argentine attacker is 9/2 to round off the scoring here, and a 6/1 shot for two or more.

Although Allegri could come back to haunt Milan, playmaker Andrea Pirlo, who spent a decade with them, misses out as he recovers from injury. Fellow midfielder Arturo Vidal is a major doubt as well, which means Ghana’s Kwadwo Asamoah (7/1 for a goal here) could continue in the engine room with ex-Old Trafford defender Patrice Evra at left wing back.

Some commentators were surprised that Allegri retained the 3-5-2 formation used to great effect by predecessor Conte, but this approach continues to pay dividends. Juventus have won each of their three outings in all competitions to nil, so odds of 3/1 on them beating the Rossoneri without reply are hugely tempting.