Torino vs AC Milan Predicted Lineups and Team News – Serie A

Torino open their 2026 Serie A campaign at Stadio Olimpico di Torino against AC Milan in a fixture that has quietly become one of the league’s most intriguing tactical battles. Both sides start the season on 0 points, with Torino listed 18th and Milan 12th purely on alphabetical order, so this is less about table position and more about setting the tone for the new year.

Recent head-to-head meetings have been tight and often high scoring. Across the last five Serie A clashes, neither side has fully dominated, with Torino winning at home, Milan edging several games at San Siro, and multiple matches decided by a single goal. With that context and balanced pre-match probabilities of 33% home, 33% draw and 33% away from the prediction model, this looks like a genuinely open contest where the predicted lineups and starting lineup choices could swing the outcome.

With no league form data yet for 2026, the focus shifts to squad construction, absences, and how each coach is likely to set up. This preview breaks down the expected team news, predicted lineups, and tactical angles ahead of kick-off in Turin.

Torino Team News & Expected Lineups Today

Torino begin the season with a couple of notable issues at the back. Goalkeeper F. Israel is ruled out with a shoulder injury, while defender E. Cömert is listed as questionable with an unspecified injury. That immediately impacts the pecking order in goal and the depth in central defence, forcing the coach to lean on experienced alternatives and younger squad options.

With no recent form to lean on, Torino are expected to stay close to their usual identity at home: a compact, hard-working side that can be direct in transition. The expected selection should prioritise defensive stability, using seasoned figures such as C. Biraghi and N. Vlašić around a core of younger, energetic midfielders. Up front, there is enough firepower in the squad list to suggest an attacking-minded shape, especially with options like D. Zapata and G. Simeone available to lead the line.

Torino Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI:
GK: A. Paleari
DF: C. Biraghi; Saúl Coco; A. Ismajli; A. Dembélé
MF: M. Pedersen; I. Ilić; G. Gineitis; N. Vlašić
FW: D. Zapata; G. Simeone

In goal, with F. Israel unavailable, the experience of A. Paleari makes him the expected starter ahead of younger options D. Mascardi and L. Siviero. At the back, C. Biraghi offers leadership and set-piece quality on the left, while Saúl Coco and A. Ismajli provide aerial presence and physicality in central areas. A. Dembélé is a logical pick on the opposite flank, giving Torino some athleticism and recovery pace.

The midfield unit is likely to be built around the balance of M. Pedersen and I. Ilić, who can both contribute defensively and in build-up, with G. Gineitis adding legs and box-to-box energy. N. Vlašić, listed as an attacker but comfortable operating between the lines, is a key creative outlet expected to drift into pockets to link midfield and attack. Up front, the predicted pairing of D. Zapata and G. Simeone brings a mix of power, movement, and penalty-box instinct — ideal for a side that may not dominate possession but can be very dangerous when they get the ball into wide and crossing zones.

AC Milan Team News & Expected Lineups Today

AC Milan travel to Turin with a more complex injury and availability picture. Y. Fofana, C. Nkunku and F. Tomori are all ruled out as inactive, removing a dynamic midfielder, a versatile forward and a key central defender from consideration. On top of that, S. Giménez (ankle injury), R. Leão (muscle injury) and C. Pulišić (broken leg) are all listed as questionable, casting doubt over three of Milan’s most important attacking weapons.

This forces Milan to lean heavily on their depth in midfield and on alternative attacking options in the lineups today. With no league form yet in 2026, the expectation is that Milan will still try to impose themselves with technical quality and control in midfield, using experienced figures such as M. Maignan in goal, L. Modrić and A. Rabiot in the middle, and a mix of wide and central forwards like S. Chukwueze and Gonçalo Ramos to carry the threat in the final third.

AC Milan Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI:
GK: M. Maignan
DF: P. Estupiñán; M. Gabbia; Mario Gila; S. Pavlović
MF: L. Modrić; A. Rabiot; R. Loftus-Cheek
FW: S. Chukwueze; Gonçalo Ramos; A. Saelemaekers

In goal, M. Maignan is the clear first choice ahead of P. Terracciano, M. Pittarella and L. Torriani. At the back, P. Estupiñán offers a strong two-way presence on the left, with M. Gabbia and Mario Gila forming a likely central pairing in the absence of F. Tomori. S. Pavlović is a logical pick on the right, combining defensive solidity with enough quality to support build-up play.

The midfield trio of L. Modrić, A. Rabiot and R. Loftus-Cheek provides a blend of experience, creativity, and physicality. Modrić can dictate tempo and unlock compact blocks, Rabiot offers vertical running and defensive coverage, while Loftus-Cheek adds ball-carrying and late surges into the box. In attack, S. Chukwueze is expected to be the main wide threat, driving inside onto his stronger foot, with Gonçalo Ramos as the central reference point. A. Saelemaekers can operate on either flank or between the lines, giving Milan flexibility, particularly if one of the questionable forwards such as Rafael Leão or C. Pulišić is not deemed ready to start.

Injuries and Suspended Players Impact

Absences on both sides skew the tactical options and may significantly influence how the match unfolds, especially in the attacking third for Milan and in goal and defence for Torino.

Torino Absences:

• F. Israel — Shoulder Injury (Missing Fixture)
• E. Cömert — Injury (Questionable)

AC Milan Absences:

• Y. Fofana — Inactive (Missing Fixture)
• C. Nkunku — Inactive (Missing Fixture)
• F. Tomori — Inactive (Missing Fixture)
• S. Giménez — Ankle Injury (Questionable)
• R. Leão — Muscle Injury (Questionable)
• C. Pulišić — Broken Leg (Questionable)

Tactical Analysis: How the Lineups Match Up

Torino’s predicted setup leans on physical forwards and a hard-working midfield against a technically superior Milan engine room. With Paleari behind a back line anchored by Saúl Coco and A. Ismajli, Torino will likely prioritise compactness in central areas, inviting crosses where their centre-backs can compete aerially. The presence of N. Vlašić between the lines is crucial: if he can find space behind Milan’s midfield trio, Torino’s front two of D. Zapata and G. Simeone will have opportunities to attack crosses and second balls in and around the box.

Milan, by contrast, are built to control possession and progress through the thirds. The Modrić–Rabiot–Loftus-Cheek axis should allow them to circulate the ball and pull Torino’s block from side to side. Wide, P. Estupiñán and S. Chukwueze form a potentially dangerous left-sided combination, with Chukwueze attacking 1v1 situations against Torino’s right-back A. Dembélé. On the opposite flank, A. Saelemaekers can either stretch the play or tuck inside to create overloads in midfield. Gonçalo Ramos will look to exploit any gaps between Torino’s centre-backs, especially when crosses or cut-backs arrive from the wings.

Match Prediction and Verdict

With both teams starting from a clean slate in the 2026 Serie A season and the prediction model assigning an even 33% chance to each of home win, draw, and away win, this fixture is rated as extremely balanced. Torino’s home advantage and robust front line suggest they are capable of troubling a Milan defence missing F. Tomori. At the same time, Milan’s midfield quality and depth in attacking options, even with several forwards questionable, give them a slight qualitative edge.

The betting markets broadly favour AC Milan, with away odds clustered between 1.72 and 1.85, implying roughly a 54–58% chance of an away victory once converted to implied probability. Home odds in the 3.96–4.76 range equate to around 21–25%, with the draw around 26–30%. Balancing those market signals against the evenly weighted prediction model and Torino’s strong recent head-to-head record at home, a tight, competitive draw looks a reasonable verdict.

Predicted Outcome: Torino 1–1 AC Milan

How to Watch Torino vs AC Milan Worldwide

Here is how you can watch the match and see the official lineups today live:

• Spain: Local Serie A broadcast partner / streaming platform
• UK: Major sports pay-TV channel or Serie A streaming service
• USA / North America: Dedicated Serie A rights holder or mainstream sports network
• South America: Regional sports channel with Italian football rights
• MENA: Satellite sports network or official Serie A streaming platform