Two European footballing titans go head-to-head in Miami tomorrow evening at 11pm (GMT) in a pre-season friendly match. The current European Champions, Chelsea, face the second most successful European Cup club history, AC Milan, in what promises to be a tough challenge for both teams for different reasons.

Chelsea

The Blues’ pre-season results have not been excellent, their games have been very close together mixed in with travelling across the US have seen Chelsea’s performances and outcomes get worse as time goes on. Having started with a win against Seattle Sounders nine days ago travelling and tiredness appears to have caught up with the squad as they could only register a draw against PSG in New York and lost to a MLS All Star squad to an injury-time goal in Philadelphia. Chelsea are now in Miami preparing for the final game of their four match tour. Di Matteo has been very consistent with his 4-2-3-1 formation but more focused on giving everyone playing time and ensuring that they get all-important match fitness. William Hill have made Chelsea slight favourites at 6/5 despite recent results going against them.

AC Milan

The Italians will be facing Chelsea on what will be their first per-season match of their US tour. Milan might benefit from Chelsea’s tiredness but the bookmakers disagree and have made them 8/5 for the victory. AC Milan will be playing without certain familiar names but being fresher than Chelsea it could work in their (and your) advantage. Sharp strikers along with goal-scoring midfielders make Milan a constant threat to the Chelsea goal.

Chelsea FC on a football tour of the US

Lads on tour

Chelsea will be wanting to end what has been an unsuccessful footballing tour on a high note by beating a reputable club but Milan won’t be willing to roll over so easily. Bwin have priced the draw between the two touring giants at 11/5 and the result could be a likely outcome. Both clubs are in the US for purely commercial purposes, Chelsea finishing a completed campaign with Milan embarking on theirs. Tiredness coming up against a team who are further behind Chelsea in terms of match fitness due Serie A starting later than the Premier League could produce a lively affair with neither team coming out on top.

All of the pricings for the results look attractive, it will simply boil down to who you think have the stronger chance – will it be the fresher but unfitter side or the fitter but fatigued team? I personally will be betting on a Bwin 2way special backing Chelsea at 7/10, the odds are safer because your stake is returned if the game ends in a draw within regular time.

Happy punting!

Dan Santoro

I’m Dan and I am an undergraduate at University College London as well as a European football enthusiast who especially enjoys the English and Italian leagues. You can also follow me and my ramblings on twitter.

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