Preview: AC Milan vs Bologna - prediction, team news, lineups

Side by side on three points from two Serie A matches, AC Milan and Bologna will meet at San Siro on Sunday evening.

Both clubs got their first league win just before the international break, and now they reconvene for the first time since May's Coppa Italia final.

Match preview

Keen to make amends for a slow start, Milan sought their first Serie A success of the season when visiting Lecce at Via del Mare last time out.

The Rossoneri's opening-day defeat to newly promoted Cremonese - who scored twice from three attempts on target - had set them off on the wrong foot, but they avoided another embarrassing setback down south.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek eased their nerves by scoring midway through the second half, before Christian Pulisic stayed cool to slot home with time running out, wrapping up maximum points.

Experienced manager Massimiliano Allegri has been brought back to add stability following a campaign of chaos, in which the Rossoneri sacked two coaches and only finished eighth, so he now needs to bed several new players into a remodelled squad.

Following a frantic summer in the transfer market, fighting for a top-four spot is Milan's main target - particularly after failing to qualify for any European competition last term, when they also lost the Coppa Italia final.

Before returning to this season's cup run - they will meet Lecce again later this month - the Rossoneri must play Udinese and their cup-final conquerors in Serie A.

Unbeaten at home to the latter since 2016, they have won seven of the teams' last nine meetings at San Siro.

Indeed, Bologna have won just twice in their last 20 league matches against Milan - but the tide may be turning.

After February's top-flight victory at Stadio Dall'Ara, the Rossoblu memorably defeated their second-city counterparts in Rome and lifted the Coppa Italia.

That success also ensured they would pip Milan to a place in UEFA competition, and Vincenzo Italiano's men are set to start their Europa League campaign with a visit to Aston Villa later this month.

In Serie A so far, Bologna have followed a 1-0 loss to Roma with a win by the same scoreline against Como, with talisman Riccardo Orsolini proving the matchwinner last time out.

However, having last won back-to-back league games in March, Italiano will be keen to see more consistent results between now and the next international break.

AC Milan Serie A form:

L W

AC Milan form (all competitions):

W L W

Bologna Serie A form:

L W

Team News

Milan could name two deadline signings in their starting lineup this week, as Christopher Nkunku and Max Allegri favourite Adrien Rabiot may both make their club debut.

Rabiot was turfed out by Marseille in extraordinary circumstances, while Nkunku failed to make an impact in England, so they will certainly have a point to prove.

An expected exit for Santiago Gimenez did not work out, so - fresh from scoring a beauty for Mexico against South Korea - he will compete with Nkunku, Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao for selection up front.

The latter is still completing his recovery from a calf strain that has ruled him out of Serie A action so far, meaning he will only make the bench at best.

Bologna brought in Ibrahim Sulemana on loan from Atalanta BC before the window slid shut, but he is currently injured and summer signing Ciro Immobile is still sidelined by a thigh problem.

Nicolo Casale and ex-Milan man Tommaso Pobega will also miss out, while full-back Emil Holm may be forced to join them in the stands.

Intriguingly, English winger Jon Rowe - signed from Marseille after a reported brawl with Rabiot - is in contention to start.

AC Milan possible starting lineup: Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlovic; Saelemaekers, Loftus-Cheek, Modric, Rabiot, Estupinan; Pulisic, Gimenez

Bologna possible starting lineup: Skorupski; Zortea, Lucumi, Heggem, Miranda; Freuler, Ferguson; Orsolini, Odgaard, Cambiaghi; Castro