Serie A
Lazio vs AC Milan Preview
Lazio face AC Milan at the Stadio Olimpico in the game of the weekend in Serie A.
If the Rome side win, they could consolidate fourth place and move four points clear of Milan in the race for a Champions League spot.
Meanwhile, Milan will look to bounce back after suffering a 2-0 home defeat to Juventus before the international break.
Lazio have won four of their six home games so far this season and have lost this fixture just once in the last five seasons.
Milan are carrying an unwanted record against the current top four, having won only once in their last 16 meetings against those above them.
However, that win did come against Lazio.
Team News
Milan are currently ravaged by a number of injuries to key players. Defenders Alessio Romagnoli and Matteo Musacchio are out for a month.
While the likes of Mattia Caldara, Giacomo Bonaventura could be out for significantly longer.
The Rossoneri will be hoping to have defender Davide Calabria and attacker Hakan Calhanoglu available for selection.
However, star striker Gonzalo Higuain will be missing after picking up a red card against Juventus two weeks ago.
Meanwhile, Lazio should welcome back Milan Badeij and Felipe Caicedo, but midfielder Lucas Leiva remains a doubt due to a muscular issue.
Previous Encounters
The last two meetings between the sides have finished goalless.
Milan haven’t won against Lazio in Rome since November 2015 winning by three goals to one.
The Rossoneri have drawn two and lost one of their last three meetings against Lazio.
The last six leagues meetings at the Stadio Olimpico have seen both teams find the net, with a total of 22 goals, an average of three per game.
Predicted Line-Ups
Lazio (4-2-3-1) Strakosha, Felipe, Acerbi, Radu, Marusic, Milinkovic-Savic, Leiva, Parolo, Lulic, Luis Alberto, Immobile
Milan (4-4-2) G Donnarumma, Abate, Zapata, Rodriguez, Calabria, Suso, Kessie, Bakayoko, Laxalt, Calhanoglu, Cutrone
Prediction
This is a huge game for both sides in the race for a Champions League spot.
It is a big opportunity for Lazio to open up a gap between them and Milan.
Given that the Rossoneri are missing a number of key players, Lazio will be big favourities to firm their grip on fourth place.
Having said that, much of Lazio’s problems this season has come against the bigger sides.
Their four league defeats have come against Roma, Inter, Juventus and Napoli.
If they are to earn a Champions League spot, they simply have to improve against the teams around them.
For Milan, this is a tough ask with key players such as Alessio Romangoli, Gonzalo Higuain and Mattia Caldara all missing.
Milan boss Gennaro Gattuso would be happy for a point to keep them in touch with Lazio.
However, given their recent record against the Biancocelesti in Rome, it will be hard to see that happening.
Prediction: Lazio 2-0 Milan
Photo credit to Lazio via Twitter
