Celtic vs AC Milan predictions bring together the Scottish champions and one of Italy’s grandest names. The two sides meet in a pre-season friendly on Saturday 25th July at Celtic Park. Kick-off is scheduled for 3pm.
The timing tells you plenty about how each side will approach it. Celtic begin their Premiership defence at home to Dundee on Monday 3rd August, nine days after this. Milan do not start their Serie A campaign until 22nd August, so they arrive a month from competitive action. One team is sharpening up. The other is still building.
Celtic vs AC Milan predictions & betting tips
| Our Prediction | Odds & Bookmaker | Confidence | Why We’re Backing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| AC Milan to win | 8/5 @ bet365 (38%) | ⭐⭐⭐ | The gulf in resources should tell, even in July. Milan finished fifth in Serie A last season with 70 points, and their 35 goals conceded was bettered by only two clubs in the division. Celtic were worthy champions in Scotland, but they shipped 41 goals across 38 league games and were third in the table at the split before recovering. Friendlies rarely reward the better league position on their own. What they do reward is squad depth, and Milan can change an entire XI without weakening. At 8/5 against a side still finding rhythm, the visitors make appeal. |
| Christopher Nkunku to score anytime | 15/8 @ bet365 (35%) | ⭐⭐ | Nkunku is confirmed as part of Milan’s attacking group, and pre-season is exactly when forwards are handed the minutes they need. The France international will want goals before the Serie A opener next month. Celtic’s defensive numbers give him something to aim at, with 41 conceded in the league last season despite winning the title. Friendlies also tend to open up badly in the second half as substitutions arrive in waves. If Nkunku features across either half, 15/8 looks a fair price on a forward of his pedigree. |
Odds correct at time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
How both teams head into Celtic vs AC Milan
Celtic
Celtic arrive as champions, and they earned it the hard way. They finished the 2025-26 Premiership on 82 points from 38 games, two clear of Hearts and 10 ahead of Rangers, with 26 wins, four draws and eight defeats.
The route was anything but comfortable. At the split Celtic sat third on 67 points from 33 matches, behind Hearts on 70 and Rangers on 69. They then won the title in the closing weeks, which speaks to a squad that peaks when it matters.
The area to watch is the back line. Celtic scored 73 goals last season, comfortably the best return in the division, but 41 conceded was more than both Hearts and Rangers managed. [CONFIRM: summer signings and departures before publish.]
AC Milan
Milan’s season was solid rather than spectacular. Fifth place in Serie A brought 70 points from 38 games, with 20 wins, 10 draws and eight defeats, 17 points adrift of champions Internazionale.
The foundation was defensive. Milan conceded only 35 goals, a total bettered by just Como and Roma across the whole division. At the other end, 53 scored was modest by their standards and the clear area for improvement this summer.
Their preparation is at an earlier stage than Celtic’s. With the Serie A season not starting until 22nd August, expect heavy rotation and a side built to get minutes into legs rather than chase a result.
Celtic team news
Pre-season selection is guesswork until the teamsheet lands, and Celtic will likely split the 90 minutes between two very different XIs.
With the Dundee opener nine days away, the manager may give his strongest side a longer run than Milan give theirs.
AC Milan team news
Nkunku is confirmed in Milan’s attacking ranks. Beyond that, this is a squad in flux at the height of the transfer window.
Expect wholesale changes at half-time.
Head-to-Head
These are two clubs with genuine European history between them, though meetings have been rare in recent years and have come in continental competition rather than friendlies. Milan have won each of the last five meetings, all of which have been competitive fixtures. This is the first every friendly between the two.
What is certain is the occasion. A packed Celtic Park for a summer visit from Milan is a considerable draw, and both sets of supporters will treat it as more than a workout.
Which side will win at Celtic Park?
Milan are available at 8/5 with bet365 to win the friendly. That reflects the difference between a side who finished fifth in Serie A and one who won a league of a different level, without ignoring the July caveats that come with every pre-season fixture.
We are with the visitors. Milan’s defensive record last season was among the best in Italy, and their squad can absorb rotation far better than most.
Nkunku to score anytime at 15/8 completes the pair. Forwards get minutes in July, Celtic conceded 41 league goals last season, and friendlies loosen up as the substitutions mount. A goal for Milan’s attacker would be no surprise at all.
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