AC Milan faces Lecce at San Siro on Sunday in a Serie A match, with Milan vying for the title while Lecce aims to avoid relegation.
Milan has remained unbeaten since the season started, whereas Lecce has collected just one point from their first four fixtures of 2026.
Match Preview and Team News
- Date: Sunday, January 18.
- Kick-off: 7:45 PM BST.
- Venue: San Siro, Milan.
AC Milan Team News
AC Milan will be without striker Santiago Gimenez, who is recovering from ankle surgery. This limits coach Massimiliano Allegri’s options for a traditional center-forward.
Defender Strahinja Pavlovic is also unlikely to play due to needing stitches for a head injury. Allegri stated, “Pavlović will most likely miss the match… Gimenez is still out, but the others are mostly available.”
Milan’s defense will likely consist of goalkeeper Mike Maignan, along with defenders Tomori, Gabbia, and De Winter. Allegri may consider changes due to a busy schedule of five games in 16 days.
Lecce Team News
Lecce visits San Siro with key players missing in defense and midfield. Main defenders Kialonda Gaspar and Danilo Veiga are both suspended, prompting coach Eusebio Di Francesco to adjust his defense.
Midfielder Medon Berisha is out with a knee issue, and Balthazar Pierret is doubtful due to back problems, limiting midfield options.
Young striker Francesco Camarda, on loan from AC Milan, is recovering from a shoulder injury and is not expected to play.
Form
AC Milan
Milan recently showed their strength with a 3-1 comeback win against Como. Maignan made a critical save with the score at 1-0 before goals from Nkunku and Adrien Rabiot turned the match around.
With draws against Genoa and Fiorentina and wins over Cagliari and Verona, Milan sits on 43 points from 20 games, just three points behind leaders Inter and still in title contention.
Lecce
In contrast, Lecce has struggled, losing four out of their last five league matches, earning just one point from a 1-1 draw against Juventus where they faced heavy shots but managed to equalize.
Recent losses to Como, Roma, Parma, and Inter have left Lecce in 17th place with 17 points from 20 matches, only three points above the relegation zone.
Predicted Lineups
AC Milan: Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia, De Winter; Saelemaekers, Loftus-Cheek, Modric, Rabiot, Bartesaghi; Pulisic, Leao
Lecce: Falcone; Kouassi, Gabriel, Siebert, Gallo; Coulibaly, Ramadani; Pierotti, Gandelman, Sottil; Stulic
How to Watch AC Milan vs Lecce?
Viewers in the UK and Ireland can watch the match live on DAZN, with additional coverage available via TNT Sports/Discovery+.
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