Prediction: AC Milan vs Lazio

Verdict: AC Milan win

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

In what is a real heavyweight Serie A showdown on Saturday evening, AC Milan will welcome Lazio to the San Siro.

AC Milan

Starting with the hosts, while AC Milan might have marked their return from September’s international break with that infamous 5-1 drumming at the hands of their bitter local rivals, the Italian heavyweights have come roaring back. Putting in a thumping performance earlier in the week as they breezed their way to a routine 3-1 win away at Cagliari, Stefano Pioli’s men have their sights firmly set on mounting a genuine title charge this time around. Now clinching back-to-back Serie A victories, last season’s Champions League semi-finalists will be looking to make another statement here. In fact, already putting 15 points on the board from their opening six Serie A appearances, AC Milan have continued to shine on either side of the summer break. It is worth highlighting, Saturday’s hosts have won eight of their last nine top-flight showdowns – a run that stems all the way back to May 13th.

Team News

Missing out against Cagliari earlier in the week and dealing with a recent muscle injury, AC Milan are once again expected to be without Bosnian international Rate Krunic. Likewise, limping off against Newcastle on Champions League duties on September 19th, the Rossoneri are still sweating over number-one keeper Mike Maignan.

After settling for a spot in midweek and only making a brief second-half cameo appearance, Rafael Leao should be handed a full recall on Saturday evening. The 24-year-old should be joined in the final third by ex-Chelsea star Christian Pulisic.

Lazio

As for the visitors, managing to make what was a welcomed return to winning ways earlier in the week, Lazio are still trying to find some early-season stability. Eventually claiming a 2-0 victory at home against Toronto, the Eagles will be desperate to spring a major upset on Saturday evening. However, despite opening their Champions League campaign with a stunning last-gasp 1-1 draw against Spanish giants Atletico Madrid on September 19th, Maurizio Sarri’s side have won just a pair of their first seven appearances across all competitions. Knowing that they face a stern challenge when they travel to the San Siro this weekend, Lazio should be concerned by a nightmare record against Saturday’s hosts. Including a 2-0 loss when they travelled to Milan back on May 6th, Sarri’s men have lost four of their previous five meetings against the Rossoneri across all competitions.

Team News

Lazio have confirmed a clean bill of health heading into Saturday’s showdown at the San Siro. Drawing a line under their three-match losing run against Torino earlier in the week, Sarri could be tempted to name the same starting XI here.

While attacking talisman Ciro Immobile might have notched just a single Serie A strike in his previous five appearances, the 33-year-old will lead Sarri’s charge on Saturday evening. Notching his first strike of the season a few days ago, 28-year-old Mattia Zaccagni should join Immobile in the final third.

Key Factors to Consider

• When AC Milan and Lazio last met back on May 6th, AC Milan picked up a 2-0 victory at the San Siro.
• Likewise, the Rossoneri have won four of their previous five meetings against Saturday’s guests.
• Continuing on from last season, AC Milan have won eight of their previous nine Serie A appearances.
• Lazio’s 2-0 victory against Torino earlier in the week was just the second win that they have collected from their opening seven appearances across all formats.
• Each of the last nine straight meetings between Saturday’s opponents have seen over 1.5 goals by the final whistle.

Conclusion

While Lazio might have made a welcomed return to winning ways earlier in the week, the Eagles will know that they face a stern challenge here. Suffering a 2-0 loss when they last travelled to the San Siro back on May 6th, Sarri’s inconsistent squad have lost four of their previous five showdowns against the Rossoneri. Likewise, watching AC put in another rampant display in midweek as they claimed a routine 3-1 win against Cagliari, last season’s Champions League finalists have continued to impress on either side of the summer break. Winning eight of their last nine Serie A appearances, we are backing what could be an enjoyable home victory this weekend.

Verdict: AC Milan win

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: Olympusbet