Mark O’Haire’s Coppa Italia Tips – Milan v Juve

Juventus go in search of a second consecutive domestic double on Saturday night as they prepare to face-off against AC Milan in the final of the Coppa Italia from the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

AC Milan v Juventus, Saturday 21 May 19.45, Sky Sports 2
Juventus lifted the Serie A trophy for the fifth season on the spin and concluded their league campaign by smashing Sampdoria 4-0 last weekend. Paulo Dybala notched another double with defenders Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci and Patrice Evra also grabbing goals.

The victory meant the Old Lady brought the curtain down on their Serie A season with a quite remarkable run of W18-D1-L1. Max Allegri’s men W10-D0-L1 in their most recent 11, firing 27 goals and shipping just five, to make the Bianconeri understandable 8/13 favourites.

Poor Finish
Opponents Milan ended their league efforts on another dismal note, losing 3-1 at home to Roma to finish in seventh. Interim boss Cristian Brocchi apparently held no punches with strong rumours suggesting he tore into his players in the changing room afterwards.

The Rossoneri have collected just two triumphs in 11 matches now with the former youth team coach struggling to inspire the troops following the untimely sacking of Sinisa Mihajlovic.

If anything, Milan have gone backwards under Brocchi and it’s difficult to envisage anything but a resounding defeat this weekend.

The untested Brocchi has come out swinging in pre-match dealings with the press this week but the spotlight should be shining brightest on those calling the shots at San Siro, especially considering the exploits of Allegri in the opposing dressing room since his own axing mid-way through the 2013-14 season.

Milan have failed to lift any silverware in five years and the two seasons since Allegri was sacked have seen the Rossoneri employ and axe three head coaches. It’s an impossible job to thrive in these days and Saturday’s showdown is likely to heap further embarrassment on one of Italian football’s greatest names.

At The Double
Juventus have already done the double over Milan this season as well as succeeding in each of the past eight meetings between the two clubs. And whilst the Old Lady are scoring goals for fun, the Rossoneri have managed just 10 goals over their past 10 matches.

Milan were given a comfortable ride to the final – facing third tier outfit Alessandria in the semi-finals – but they’re about to meet their match on the biggest stage and a comfortable Juventus victory looks just the ticket.

We can back Juventus off a -1 handicap at 15/8 and that seems more than fair considering the current climate in both camps. I just can’t see Milan managing to stop the Old Lady juggernaut here and backing the Bianconeri to triumph by at least two goals looks the best bet.

Recommended Bet:
Juventus (-1) @ 15/8

*Prices correct at time of publication.