AC Milan vs Venezia Predicted Lineups and Team News – Serie A

AC Milan welcome Venezia to Milan for the second round of the 2026 Serie A season, with both sides coming off contrasting opening results. Milan started strongly with a 2-1 away win, collecting 3 points and sitting 5th in the table with a positive goal difference. Venezia, by contrast, lost 2-0 at home and enter this fixture in 18th place, already sitting in the early relegation zone.

Given the gap in squad quality and recent head-to-head history, this is a key opportunity for Milan to consolidate their position near the top and back up their early form. For Venezia, any result here would be a major boost in their fight to climb out of danger. With no official lineups yet, this preview focuses on data-driven predicted lineups and expected starting lineup choices based on current squads, early-season form, and key performers such as A. Rabiot, S. Chukwueze, and A. Cissè for Milan.

The matchup also continues a one-sided recent series: Milan have won all four of the last meetings in Serie A, scoring 11 and conceding none. That dominance, combined with their strong comparison indices in attack and form, underpins why most models expect Milan to control proceedings and why predicted lineups today will be scrutinised closely by both analysts and bettors.

AC Milan Team News & Expected Lineups Today

There are no listed injuries or suspensions for AC Milan ahead of this clash, so the manager should have a full squad to choose from. With a win already on the board and a form string of “W” in the league, continuity will be attractive, but the depth of the squad also allows for some rotation without compromising quality.

Milan’s early-season numbers point to a side that can raise the tempo after the break: both of their goals so far came between minutes 61 and 75, while they conceded once late on. That suggests an aggressive, attacking-minded shape with the ability to push on in the second half. Expect a setup that allows creative midfielders and wide players to feed a strong forward line, with A. Rabiot and S. Chukwueze central to the expected approach.

AC Milan Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI:
GK: M. Maignan
DF: M. Gabbia, F. Tomori, Mario Gila, P. Estupiñán
MF: A. Rabiot, S. Ricci, Y. Musah, S. Chukwueze, C. Pulišić
FW: Rafael Leão

Milan have used a back three in their only recorded lineup this season, but with the flexibility in their defensive and midfield units, they can easily shift between a compact defensive block and a more expansive shape. M. Maignan is the clear first-choice goalkeeper from the available options and anchors a defence likely built around F. Tomori’s pace and M. Gabbia’s positioning, with Mario Gila adding balance. P. Estupiñán, listed as a midfielder but capable of operating wide, can provide thrust from the flank.

In midfield, A. Rabiot stands out as an early-season key man: he has 1 goal and 1 assist from just 34 minutes, with a strong rating and efficient output in both passing and duels. He should be central in progressing the ball and arriving late in the box. S. Ricci offers control and distribution, while Y. Musah adds dynamism and ball-carrying. On the flanks and in advanced midfield areas, S. Chukwueze and C. Pulišić are expected to stretch Venezia’s defensive block; Chukwueze has already delivered 1 assist, 4 key passes, and 2 shots, underlining his creative and direct threat.

Up front, Rafael Leão is the natural focal point from the available forwards and provides a mix of pace, dribbling, and finishing. Behind him, A. Cissè is another strong option after scoring 1 goal, but given his youth and the likelihood of Milan controlling the game, he may be used as an impact substitute again. Overall, this predicted lineup is built to dominate possession, create overloads in wide areas, and exploit Venezia’s defensive vulnerabilities.

Venezia Team News & Expected Lineups Today

Venezia also enter this fixture with no listed injuries or suspensions, so the coaching staff can select from a full squad. Their league form string reads “L” after a 2-0 home defeat, with no goals scored and 2 conceded, and they failed to find the net in their only match so far. That increases the pressure on their attacking unit and on the structure in midfield.

With lineups today likely to be conservative from the visitors, expect Venezia to prioritise a compact shape and defensive stability. They have previously lined up with a three-at-the-back system, and given Milan’s attacking depth, a similar setup with wing-backs dropping deep is probable. The challenge will be transitioning out of that block to support the forwards, especially against a Milan side whose comparison indices give them a big edge in attack and form.

Venezia Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI:
GK: F. Stanković
DF: R. Haps, M. Šverko, A. Bella-Kotchap, R. Halhal
MF: G. Busio, T. Bašić, E. Bohinen, Kike Pérez, M. Dagasso
FW: J. Yeboah

Venezia’s predicted starting lineup leans heavily on experience in the spine. F. Stanković is the leading candidate in goal from the three available keepers, while the back line is likely to feature M. Šverko and A. Bella-Kotchap as central pillars, with R. Haps providing width and defensive nous on the left and R. Halhal or C. Ligue adding youthful energy on the opposite side. This unit will be tasked with absorbing long spells of pressure and dealing with Milan’s wide threats.

In midfield, G. Busio and T. Bašić give Venezia a combination of work rate and technical quality in central areas, supported by E. Bohinen’s distribution and Kike Pérez’s ability to link play. M. Dagasso, who appears in both the yellow and red card disciplinary lists, offers bite and aggression; his presence hints at a combative midfield approach aimed at disrupting Milan’s rhythm. Further forward, J. Yeboah is a logical pick to lead the line from the available attackers, with his mobility key for counter-attacks. Options like A. Adams, A. Adorante, Antonio Casas, or L. Lauberbach provide alternatives if Venezia chase the game, but the initial setup is likely to be cautious and compact.

Injuries and Suspended Players Impact

With no recorded injuries or suspensions for either side, the tactical and selection landscape is unusually clean for an early-season Serie A match. That places the emphasis squarely on coaching decisions, tactical setups, and in-game adjustments rather than enforced absences.

AC Milan Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

Venezia Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

Tactical Analysis: How the Lineups Match Up

This contest sets up as a clash between Milan’s high-ceiling attacking unit and Venezia’s likely low-block, counter-attacking approach. Milan come into the game with a perfect form index in attack and overall, reflected in comparison indices where they lead 100 vs 0 in form, 100 vs 0 in attack, and 67 vs 33 in defence. Their overall comparison index stands at 67.0 vs 33.0, underlining a clear statistical edge. With creators like S. Chukwueze and C. Pulišić supplying a front line led by Rafael Leão, and with A. Rabiot arriving from deeper positions, Milan should be able to pin Venezia back and create sustained pressure in the final third.

For Venezia, the key will be compressing space between the lines and protecting the central channels where Rabiot and Ricci can dictate. Midfielders like G. Busio, T. Bašić, and E. Bohinen will need to screen the back line effectively, while M. Dagasso’s aggressive profile suggests he could be used to disrupt Milan’s build-up. Out wide, R. Haps and the right-sided defender or wing-back will have to handle the pace and trickery of Chukwueze and Pulišić, while J. Yeboah’s ability to stretch the game on the counter could offer their best route to goal. However, Venezia’s early-season attacking index is low, with 0% in attack and 0% in goals in the comparison block, and they have yet to score this campaign, which makes sustained pressure on Milan’s defence unlikely.

Match Prediction and Verdict

All indicators point towards AC Milan being strong favourites at home. The predictions model gives Milan a 50% chance to win, with a 50% probability assigned to the draw and 0% to a Venezia victory. Milan’s league position (5th with 3 points and a +1 goal difference) and their perfect recent head-to-head record against Venezia reinforce that view. Venezia, 18th with 0 points and a -2 goal difference, face a significant step up in quality and must improve sharply in both boxes.

Given that the goals fields in the prediction data do not provide explicit expected scorelines for home and away teams, the safest interpretation is that Milan are expected to edge a relatively controlled game, with Venezia’s best hope being to keep the scoreline tight and steal something on the break. Milan’s superior squad depth, attacking metrics, and historical dominance make them the logical pick to take all three points.

Predicted Outcome: AC Milan 2–0 Venezia

How to Watch AC Milan vs Venezia Worldwide

Here is how you can watch the match and see the official lineups today live:

• Spain: To be confirmed by local broadcasters closer to kickoff.
• UK: Coverage expected on a major sports channel or streaming platform.
• USA / North America: Likely available via a subscription-based soccer broadcaster or streaming service.
• South America: Check regional sports networks and official Serie A partners.
• MENA: Expected on a regional sports network with Serie A rights or its digital platforms.