Prediction: Lazio vs AC Milan

Verdict: Total goals over 2.5

Best odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: BetUS

Both Lazio and AC Milan will be eager to get back on track when they clash at Stadio Olimpico in Saturday night’s Serie A showdown after suffering unexpected defeats last weekend. Lazio fell short against Udinese, while AC Milan were shocked by newly promoted Parma.

With the international break looming, both teams will be desperate to secure a positive result and avoid further setbacks in their bid to stay competitive in the race for the top spots in the league.

Lazio

Marco Baroni’s early tenure at Lazio began on a promising note with an opening-day win against Venezia, but hopes of building momentum were dashed by a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Udinese. Conceding a goal within the first five minutes and another shortly after the break, Lazio struggled to capitalize even after their opponents were reduced to 10 men. A late consolation goal from Gustav Isaksen wasn’t enough to prevent the Biancocelesti from suffering their first setback of the season.

The loss snapped an eight-match unbeaten run, dating back to the end of the previous campaign, which had seen Lazio finish on a high under the now-departed Igor Tudor. As Baroni looks to steady the ship, he’ll face the challenge of ending Lazio’s recent struggles against AC Milan, having lost three consecutive Serie A matches to the Rossoneri without scoring a goal.

Their most recent encounter in Rome resulted in a narrow 1-0 defeat six months ago, and Lazio will be eager to reverse that trend on Saturday.

Team News

Baroni faces a defensive selection dilemma ahead of the clash with AC Milan, as Mario Gila remains out with a thigh injury, and Nicolo Casale could miss out amid transfer speculation linking him with Bologna. Left-back Lorenzo Pellegrini, who was involved in a car accident last week, might still be included in the squad, though his availability remains uncertain.

In midfield, Baroni has more stability, with Nicolo Rovella, Matias Vecino, and Danilo Cataldi all competing for the holding role in front of the defense. The depth in this area will be crucial as Lazio looks to control the tempo of the game against a dangerous Milan side.

In attack, Lazio will rely on captain Mattia Zaccagni to provide the creative spark, particularly at Stadio Olimpico, where he has been directly involved in four of the team’s last six home goals. Zaccagni, along with Taty Castellanos, will be key to unlocking Milan’s defence.

AC Milan

Milan have a strong recent record against Lazio, winning five of their last six Serie A encounters. However, they haven’t achieved consecutive away victories over the Biancocelesti since 2009. Head coach Paulo Fonseca will be eager to change that on Saturday evening, especially after enduring a rocky start to his tenure at San Siro.

Milan began the season with a 2-2 draw against Torino, where they had to come from two goals down, equalizing only in the dying minutes. This was followed by a disappointing 2-1 defeat at newly promoted Parma, where Christian Pulisic’s second-half equalizer was ultimately undone by Matteo Cancellieri’s late winner, exposing Milan’s defensive frailties once again.

Despite dominating in key offensive metrics, such as leading Serie A in total shots (43), touches in the opposition box (82), and direct attacks (10), Milan’s defensive vulnerabilities remain a cause for concern. Fonseca, known for his attacking philosophy but criticized for his teams’ defensive fragility during his time at Roma, now faces pressure to tighten up at the back.

Should Milan suffer another loss this weekend, it would mark their worst start to a season in over two decades.

Team News

With Alvaro Morata sidelined due to a thigh injury, Milan’s attacking options are limited. Either Luka Jovic or Noah Okafor is expected to partner Leao and Christian Pulisic in the final third. Jovic and Okafor both made their Serie A debuts as substitutes against Parma and could be given a starting role.

New signings Emerson Royal and Youssouf Fofana, who also made their Serie A debuts in the match against Parma, may be included in the starting lineup if Paulo Fonseca opts to adjust his tactics following recent setbacks.

Conclusion

In their recent Serie A encounters, Milan have had the upper hand, winning 8 of the last 11 meetings since 2018, with no draws between the two sides. However, on Saturday night, a draw could be a likely outcome.

Both teams have shown vulnerabilities in defence, which may allow their pacey and skillful forwards to exploit gaps. With attacking talent on both sides, an entertaining and high-paced game at Stadio Olimpico is anticipated.

Verdict: Total goals over 2.5

Best odds: 19/20

Bookmaker: BetUS