AC Milan vs Lazio: Preview and Prediction

AC Milan vs Lazio
2016/17 Italian Serie A.
Date: Tuesday, 20 September 2016
Kick-Off: 19:45 UK,
Venue: Stadio San Siro (Milan).

Both AC Milan and Lazio will be hoping to make it back-to-back victories as they lock horns at the Stadio San Siro on Tuesday evening.

After a good start, the Rossoneri slumped to two consecutive losses before rebounding with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Sampdoria on Friday. The result sees Vincenzo Montella’s side sitting in tenth spot as they hope to end their long hiatus from European football. This season marks the third straight campaign that Milan are not featuring in Europe, and they will be loath to make it a fourth for the 2017/2017 term.

Of course, that will be much easier said than done. Despite the win over Samp, it was by far from a convincing performance by Milan, and they will be welcoming a Lazio side full of confidence after easily brushing aside Pescara 3-0. The hosts also will have to make do without a crop of players due to injury, including Andrea Bertolacci, Cristian Zapata, Luca Antonelli, and possibly Mattia De Sciglio. All are defensive options Montella surely would have wanted to count, whilst Mati Fernandez will also miss out.

Meanwhile, Simone Inzaghi’s side are also one in transition, but appear to be clicking a lot faster than their upcoming opponents. The Aquile have indeed played some entertaining football this season, and kick-started their campaign with a thrilling 4-3 win over Atalanta. Although they were again unable to get the better of Juventus, the Bianconeri did not have it easy and only defeated them 1-0. This was then followed up with a draw with Chievo, and finally a good showing to trounce Pescara 3-0.

For all intents and purposes, things look promising for Lazio and they now will be looking to take advantage of a Milan side still struggling to find their identity.

AC Milan vs Lazio: Head-to-head statistics

• AC Milan have lost only one out of their last 16 fixtures at home against Lazio.
• The Biancocelesti, however, beat them in the Coppa Italia at the San Siro back in February 2015.
• The Rossoneri have won nine, drawn eight, and lost three of their past 20 home games against teams ranked higher than them in the table.
• Lazio, meanwhile, have won three, drawn three, and lost 14 out of their last 20 away games against teams ranked lower than them in the table.
• The last time this fixture finished scoreless was in February 2011.
• In Serie A, Milan’s last loss to Lazio was in January 2015

AC Milan vs Lazio: Prediction

Although Milan have the historical advantage in this fixture, the Rossoneri have only won once at home since February. By contrast, Lazio have only lost twice on the road since November and as noted before, they finally picked up a win at the Stadio San Siro in Coppa Italia action in February 2015. That ended as a 1-0 result and also was the last time both sides did not manage to score.

With that in mind, neither side are expected to keep a clean sheet in this fixture. Last season, Lazio won one and drew the other of their two Serie A meetings, with the 1-1 stalemate taking place at the Stadio San Siro.

Lazio should have no problems picking up at least a point from this fixture. A repeat of the 1-1 result from last season is certainly not an unrealistic result for this match.

AC Milan vs Lazio: Betting tips

Draw at 12/5 (3.40)
Under 2.5 goals at 4/5 (1.80).