2026-27 UEFA Europa League: League Phase – Bournemouth vs AC Milan

Bournemouth face AC Milan in a blockbuster league-phase clash in the 2026-27 UEFA Europa League. 

Victory could put Bournemouth top if results elsewhere go in their favour, whilst AC Milan could move into the top eight with a win.

 

Team News

Bournemouth have no fresh injury concerns to report after their 2-0 Premier League victory over Sunderland.

Alex Scott (quad), Julian Araujo (thigh) and Eli Junior Kroupi (foot) are ruled out.

AC Milan will be without Filippo Terracciano after he was red carded in their 4-0 win at Red Bull Salzburg last week.

Goncalo Ramos (calf) and Samuel Chukwueze (hip) have been ruled out alongside; Alexis Saelemaekers (ankle), Matteo Gabbia (tendon) and Warren Bondo (ineligible).

 

When is Kick-Off?

Bournemouth host AC Milan at Vitality Stadium on Thursday 22 October at 8pm BST, live on TNT Sports 1 in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• This is Bournemouth’s first-ever competitive meeting against AC Milan
• AC Milan are making their first competitive trip to Bournemouth.
• Rayan has scored in both of Bournemouth’s two league-phase fixtures in this season’s competition (W2), as the Cherries won 2-1 at Real Sociedad then 3-0 at home to Sturm Graz.
• AC Milan are facing a 12th different English opponent in their history.

 

Prediction

Having clinically dispatched Sturm Graz and Sunderland in the last week, Bournemouth have finally found some winning form coming into this tricky fixture against one of Italy’s iconic clubs, but this is going to be a much tougher test of their quality.

AC Milan meanwhile are unbeaten in five matches away from home this season during which they kept just one clean sheet, so I expect them to give Bournemouth a harder test than some of the Cherries’ recent opponents but they might need to be patient and capitalise on any weak moments in the hosts’ defence.

Either way, I can see both teams scoring but with renewed confidence in their last two games, Bournemouth will be sniffing a point from this game especially given that AC Milan are without Ramos who is their only forward to score so far this season.

Prediction: Bournemouth 1-1 AC Milan