Preview: AC Milan vs. Atalanta

Serie A returns after its winter break on Monday afternoon and AC Milan will be hoping that 2014 is far more prosperous than the previous 12 months.

They play host to Atalanta at the San Siro, with just one point and two places separating the sides in the table.

Milan are 13th, having amassed just 19 points from their first 17 fixtures. Consequently, the seven-time European champions are just five points above the relegation zone.

They won't have new signing Keisuke Honda available for the clash because the Asian Player of the Year's registration has not yet been finalised, while loanee addition Adil Rami is expected to start among the substitutes.

As for Atalanta, they have been tipped to begin the encounter with German Denis as a lone centre-forward.

When these two teams last met in Milan back in September 2012, the visitors claimed all three points thanks to a 1-0 victory.

Recent form

Milan: DDWDDL

Atalanta: WLDLDL

Possible starting lineups

Milan: Abbiati; De Sciglio, Bonera, Zapata, Emanuelson; Montolivo, De Jong, Poli, Saponara, Kaka; Balotelli

Atalanta: Consigli; Raimondi, Migliaccio, Stendardo, Del Grosso; Bonaventura, Carmona, Cigarini, Brivio, Moralez; Denis

Sports Mole says: 2-0