Prediction: Lazio vs Milan

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: bet365

Both Lazio and AC Milan managed to end Serie A losing streaks at the weekend, but those wins will mean little if they fail to emerge triumphant from the clash at Stadio Olimpico. The Biancocelesti are in a better position at the moment, but the Rossoneri could revive their top 3 bid by winning on Monday evening.

Lazio

SS Lazio have endured some tough times since lifting their second Serie A title in 2000, but it appears the Stadio Olimpico outfit are finally showing some improvement. The Biancocelesti finally achieved a top 3 finish in the 2014/2015 campaign, but then failed to secure progress to the Champions League group stages, before enjoying a pretty disappointing campaign last term. Against all odds, Lazio have been doing pretty well since Simone Inzaghi took over and while they now trail third-placed Napoli five points, they are in front of sides like Inter Milan, AC Milan and Fiorentina. The team’s impressive run of results came to an end as they were beaten by holders Juventus in Turin, but it was the home loss to Chievo that was seen as a major setback. The Biancocelesti, nonetheless, managed to quickly return to the right track, pipping Inter Milan to a place in the Coppa Italia semis and setting up a clash with bitter rivals AS Roma, while also hammering Pescara on the road in a match that will be remembered by Marco Parolo’s four-goal masterclass. Lazio will now be hoping to build on that performances when they take on AC Milan, the team they haven’t beaten in their last three meetings.

Team News

Lazio boss Simone Inzaghi will have fully fit squad to select from, with Stefan Radu and Senad Lulic set to be recalled to the side.

AC Milan

Similar to their next opponents, AC Milan enjoyed a bright start to the current league campaign, hinting they might just be able to enter the chase for Champions League positions, but numerous selection problems and a failure to improve the squad in the January window seem to have derailed their top 3 bid. The Rossoneri crashed out of Coppa Italia and slipped to eighth in the league standings as they lost four games in all competitions and fifth straight defeat appeared on the cards as AC Milan were reduced to nine men going into the final 30 minutes of weekend’s clash with Bologna. However, Vincenzo Montella’s side not only managed to avoid conceding, but they scored a winner through Mario Pasalic late into the game with January recruit Gerard Deulofeu providing the assists. The 1-0 triumph over Bologna should work wonders for the players’ confidence after the poor run of results and in spite of serious selection worries, AC Milan will fancy their chances of winning at Stadio Olimpico. The Rossoneri have scored in last five away fixtures, but only recorded a win in said clash with Bologna.

Team News

Gabriel Paletta and Juraj Kucka are banned, whereas Alessio Romagnoli, Luca Antonelli, Mattia De Sciglio, Riccardo Montolivo and Giacomo Bonaventura are out injured.

Key Factors to Consider

• Lazio scored 12 goals in last 5 games
• AC Milan scored in each of last five matches on the road
• The Rossoneri won two of last three meetings with Lazio (D1)
• Both teams scored in 6 of their last 8 meetings
• The Rossoneri are without five starters

Conclusion

Both Lazio and AC Milan are flying high after remarkable victories at the weekend and with a top 3 berth not too far away, both sides can be expected to adopt a positive approach at Stadio Olimpico. We, therefore, expect to see a highly entertaining clash and quite a few goals.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: bet365