10 FACTS ON UDINESE v AC MILAN

Three days left in the girone d'andata, three games left in a calendar year that has been a fruitful one for the Rossoneri. The first of these matches takes place at the Dacia Aren, a ground that has seen some fiery encounters between Udinese and AC Milan down the years. As we wait for kick-off at 20:45 CET on Saturday, here are a few stats and facts on the game:

HEAD-TO-HEAD
1- The two sides have met 92 times in Serie A: 41 wins for the Rossoneri, 34 draws and 17 wins for the Bianconeri. The record in Friuli is more balanced, however, as AC Milan lead with 16 wins to 12 (18 draws). The most frequent scoreline between the two sides in Serie A is 0-0, though there hasn't been a goalless draw in the fixture since 2011.   

2- AC Milan are unbeaten in seven of their eight matches played in December against Udinese (W5, D2).

CURRENT FORM
3- AC Milan have taken 38 points in their first 16 games in the current Serie A campaign; this is the Rossoneri's best record at this stage of the season since 2003/04 - the only season that they managed more than 40 points in their first 17 league games (42).

4- AC Milan recorded 16 away wins in 2021: the Serie A record is currently held by Napoli after they won 18 in 2017 - the Rossoneri could equal this if they beat both Udinese and Empoli. 

5- The Rossoneri have scored two first-half goals in each of their last two Serie A matches and haven't scored two or more in the first half of three consecutive matches since November 2011.

PAYER FOCUS
6- Zlatan Ibrahimović's next appearance will be his 450th in Europe's Top-5 leagues. In these 449 games, the Swede has scored 299 goals and could become only the third player to reach 300 goals in Europe's Top-5 Leagues since 2000.

7- Brahim Díaz has provided an assist in each of his last two Serie A games; the Rossoneri's magician has never taken part in three goals in three consecutive matches in the top flight.   

8- After six games without a goal against Udinese in Serie A, Franck Kessie has scored in each of his last two games against the Bianconeri. 

9- Theo Hernández's next appearance will be his 100th in an AC Milan shirt. 

10- Udinese are one of two teams, against whom Rade Krunić has both scored and provided an assist in a single Serie A match. 

Match kits, clothing, accessories, gift ideas and much more: visit AC Milan online Store!