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Chelsea vs AC Milan - prediction, team news, lineups

Rounding off their respective pre-seasons with a high-profile clash, Chelsea and AC Milan will face off at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

While the Blues recently returned from a post-Club World Cup break, Milan have been warming up for several weeks and will end their packed summer schedule in England.

Match preview

Chelsea's performance in the USA, where they claimed FIFA's top club trophy by beating Paris Saint-Germain in the final, has certainly boosted the London club's hopes of fighting for prizes again in 2025-26.

While taking part in the Club World Cup could impact their upcoming campaign as Enzo Maresca's men have had relatively little time to rest, Chelsea have been bold in the transfer market once again.

After winning the Conference League at a canter and finishing fifth in the Premier League last term, the Blues have bought Joao Pedro, Estevao, Liam Delap and several others to bolster an already bloated squad.

Following a 2-0 success in Friday's friendly against Bayer Leverkusen, they have won 15 of their last 17 games, showing that an apparently outlandish transfer strategy may yet pay off.

The real action begins with next week's home game against Crystal Palace, but first Maresca's side will get more minutes under their belt by welcoming once-mighty Milan to the Bridge.

AC Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri pictured on May 15, 2024

In contrast to their hosts, Milan endured an awful 2024-25 campaign, as a chaotic year saw them dispense with two Portuguese coaches - first Paulo Fonseca, then Sergio Conceicao.

Though they somehow won the Supercoppa Italiana within a week of the latter's appointment, they went on to tamely lose the Coppa Italia final and were dumped out of the Champions League by Feyenoord.

Finishing eighth in Serie A therefore meant that change was inevitable at San Siro, where former boss Massimiliano Allegri has returned to take control of the ailing seven-time European champions.

After Far East friendlies against Liverpool and Arsenal, the Rossoneri's rebuild recently continued with a 9-0 thumping of Perth Glory, and they will finish off with another Premier League double-header.

This weekend, Milan must face Leeds United in Dublin and then visit Chelsea, so Allegri is sure to rotate a squad featuring new signings such as evergreen midfield maestro Luka Modric.

Owing to last season's low league finish, Milan kick off competitive duties next week, welcoming Bari to San Siro in round one of the Coppa Italia before tackling newly promoted Cremonese in Serie A six days later.

Chelsea pre-season form: W

AC Milan pre-season form: L W W

Team News

Chelsea's Levi Colwill on May 4, 2025

While long-term absentee Wesley Fofana is finally back in the fold, Chelsea will be without defensive mainstay Levi Colwill for several months, after the England centre-back suffered an ACL injury in training.

Dutch defender Jorrel Hato featured among their latest lavish outlay - coming close to £250m on eight players - so he could provide sufficient cover; Trevoh Chalobah, Tosin Adarabioyo, Josh Acheampong and Benoit Badiashile are also options.

Reece James should captain the side, featuring either at right-back or in midfield; Joao Pedro and Liam Delap will vie to start up front, with Nicolas Jackson looking set to leave.

Meanwhile, Milan's starting XI should differ greatly from the lineup that faces Leeds on Saturday, given the short time between matches.

Belgian Pro League 'Player of the Season' Ardon Jashari has just joined the Rossoneri from Club Brugge, effectively replacing key man Tijjani Reijnders, who signed for Manchester City earlier this summer.

Alvaro Morata is apparently bound for Como, while Luka Jovic and loanee Tammy Abraham have already left and Christian Pulisic is still struggling with an ankle injury. So, Max Allegri may turn to Rafael Leao and Santiago Gimenez to lead his attack in London.

Chelsea possible starting lineup: Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Hato, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Neto, Palmer, Gittens; Pedro

AC Milan possible starting lineup: Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlovic; Saelemaekers, Ricci, Modric, Musah, Estupinan; Leao, Gimenez

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We say: Chelsea 2-1 AC Milan

Both teams are cramming two games into two days, so it may be more a matter of squad rotation and seeking match-fitness than putting on a show.

With home advantage and deep resources to choose from, Chelsea should edge out their Italian visitors, who they have beaten four times in five previous meetings.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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