Manchester United welcome AC Milan on Thursday, on the back of a massive 2-0 derby victory over in-form Manchester City. The result ends a scoreless three-game run for The Red Devils. The derby victory provides confidence that they can improve their poor run against the Rossoneri. AC Milan have beaten United in four of five ties in European competition, all in the UEFA Champions League. Both teams will be hoping the next clash is in that competition, and the teams are on track to qualify.

AC Milan are looking to improve the run that has seen them drop off the pace in the Serie A title race against derby rivals Inter, who have a 5-point lead. Milan are struggling for both goals and defensive form.

Injury has ruled out Juan Mata and Phil Jones, Marcus Rashford has a knock and may not be risked. David de Gea is a doubt due to personal reasons, but Dean Henderson has started in the European games.

Milan could be without Hakan Calhanoglu, Ismael Bennacer and Mario Mandzukic due to injuries; they will have fitness reviews before the game. Talisman Zlatan Ibrahimovic will miss the return to Old Trafford in a major disappointment for the Rossoneri.

Both teams will field their strongest teams possible in their quest for silverware. United have been almost impenetrable on the flanks. It will be interesting to see if Solskjaer experiments with an extra attacker in midfield or takes the defensive bridle of Scott McTominey at home. The Manchester United defence will be hard to score against, and they are a threat on the counter-attack with the full-backs pushing forward, linking with the attacking four of Greenwood, Martial, Fernandez and James.

AC Milan uses the same formation; however, their system is different. Strength and quality replace skill and pace in the attacking third. With Ibrahimovic missing, the onus will be on the other players to score goals, especially Rafael Leão, the striker who plays through the middle. Hakan Çalhanoğlu’s ability to shoot from a distance and execute set pieces is Milan’s answer to the just as capable Bruno Fernandez.

The game will be challenging, but Ibrahimovic’s absence and The Red Devil’s strong defence could make the difference and swing the tie in Manchester United’s favour. Ibrahimovic is an aerial threat; he holds up the ball well, is an excellent striker of the ball, and links play with the flanks. AC Milan will benefit from the likely absence of Rashford, a creative player with speed to burn and an eye for a goal. Manchester should take this game by 2-0.

FC Porto celebrated the first win in 6 attempts against Juventus. A 2-1 victory at Estádio do Dragão in the first leg. FC Porto Manager Sérgio Conceição will seek to inspire belief in his players that they can also get a result at Juventus when they visit on Tuesday.  Although winless in the last 13 knockout stage matches of the UEFA Champions League, FC Porto managed to draw four of those games. A draw is all they need to progress.

Things have not gone according to plan for perennial Serie A champions Juventus. Manager Andrea Pirlo is under pressure with a 7-point deficit behind Inter. But, if he lifts the Champions League trophy, he will secure his job. Pirlo immortalisation as a club coaching legend will follow. A 1-0 victory will allow Juventus to progress on the away goals rule.

Juventus have only lost two of their last 12 in the knockout stages of the Champions League. The two losses came in the last three seasons against Real Madrid and Ajax. The Biancconeri will face an uphill task should Porto score an away goal. They will then need at least three goals to avoid extra time and possibly penalty kicks.

Juventus, have several players returning to fitness, but match fitness may limit their participation. Giorgio Chiellini and Matthijs de Ligt will be assessed, but Paulo Dybala will miss the game. Rodrigo Bentancur is COVID-19 positive and Danilo is suspended.

For Porto, Chancel Mbemba and Ivan Marcano are unfit, while Pepe and Jesus Corona need assessment after picking up knocks.

Christiano Ronaldo was rested in the league game against Lazio because they signed him to end the 25-year wait for glory in the competition to the Bianconeri, Europe’s nearly men. Alvaro Morata is likely to join him in the attack, with Ramsey and Chiesa creating in midfield. Juventus need to score to progress; they will attack in droves against a possibly depleted FC Porto defence. If they get the early goal, then Pirlo will seek to bring in Bernardeschi or another body in midfield to increase the defensive compactness. If Juventus are still chasing the game at the break, Dejan Kulusevski’s introduction will make it even harder for the Porto players with his creative dribbles and powerful running.

Porto’s best chance of progressing is to try to nick an away goal. Both their forwards Moussa Marega and Mehdi Taremi got on the scoresheet in the first leg, and they will be confident against a Juventus team that is not at their very best. Conceição will be thankful for the extra substitutes because Juventus will have the majority of possession. His team must remain compact, press their men in unison and close attacks. Juventus may open up as they chase the game and become vulnerable to counter attacks.

Pirlo will learn much about himself in the sternest challenge since assuming the Juventus Manager role. His lack of managerial experience could give Conceição the advantage, but the quality and class in the Juventus team are irrepressible despite the injuries.

Juventus should nick this game 1-0.