Massimiliano Allegri reiterated that AC Milan's main goal this season is to qualify for the Champions League as they prepare to host Como in Serie A.

Milan could move five points behind league leaders Inter, with this being their game in hand after it was rearranged due to the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics.

The Rossoneri are unbeaten in their last 23 Serie A matches (W15 D8). Only twice in their history have they registered a longer unbeaten streak in a single season: 24 games between December 1950 and May 1951, and 34 matches across the entire 1991-92 campaign.

The Opta supercomputer has backed Inter as favourites to win the Scudetto (89.9%), with Milan's chances of winning the title coming in at 8.7%.

Allegri insisted his side will only think about winning the league once they have secured qualification for the Champions League.

"We are doing good things. Inter were the clear title favourites; they were the favourites with Napoli, and now they are even more," said Allegri.

"There are still many games remaining. Juve, Napoli, Roma, Como. We have to remain calm. Once we are in the Champions League, we’ll see.

"We aren’t the only thing fighting for the title: 13 games remain and anything can still happen. Caution is needed at both ends of the table.

"We must not waste energy on situations happening outside. Right now, blinkers are needed."

The two sides met last month, with Milan winning 3-1 on the road despite Cesc Fabregas's Como side controlling most of the game.

Como could move into the European places with a win at San Siro, and Allegri was full of praise for their opponents.

"There’s no debate. I think Como and Fabregas are doing an excellent job. They are in the race for the Champions League," Allegri added.

"They’ve done a great job in a short time, so we can only congratulate them. In some moments, you play well, in others not so well.

"For Milan, it is important to get a result through performances, which can be good or not so good. The main target is to reach the Champions League."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

AC Milan – Luka Modric

Following his goal against Pisa last time out, Modric could score in two consecutive appearances for only the third time in his career in the top five European leagues.

This would be after doing so in January 2019 and December 2020, during his time with Real Madrid.

Como – Nico Paz

Paz's last four Serie A goals have come away from home (including a brace in his most recent away match against Lazio on 19 January), while his first four goals in the competition were scored at the Sinigaglia.

The 2004-born player could score in two consecutive away games for the first time in Serie A.

MATCH PREDICTION: AC MILAN WIN

Milan are unbeaten in their last 14 Serie A matches against Como (W9 D5), winning each of the last five meetings against the Lariani with an aggregate score of 11-4.

The Rossoneri have also won their last two Serie A matches against Lombardy teams (1-0 versus Inter, 3-1 against Como).

They have not recorded three consecutive wins in such fixtures since a run of six between February 2010 and January 2012, with the five most recent of those coming under Allegri.

Milan have gained 25 points from 11 matches against teams currently in the top half of the Serie A table – the joint-most in the division (level with Inter, who have played 12 such games).

Como, however, have won each of their last three away league games (all 3-0 victories against Lecce, Pisa and Lazio) and a win in this match would see them record four consecutive away Serie A victories for the first time in their history.

Nevertheless, in direct clashes between the current top seven teams in Serie A, only Roma (five) have gained fewer points than Como (six in seven matches); Como have also scored the fewest goals (four) in these encounters.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

AC Milan – 42.7%

Draw – 26.8%

Como – 30.6%