Serie A: Milan Need to Overcome Rough Start in Latest Rome Visit

Lazio vs AC Milan

Paulo Fonseca’s return to Serie A management hasn’t gone as planned, as AC Milan are off to a poor start. With only one point in the first two games after drawing 2-2 with Torino and losing 2-1 to Parma, the Rossoneri find themselves nearer to the drop zone than at the top of the table.

Of course, it’s still too early to hit the panic button, but they must secure their first win of the 2024-25 season as soon as possible, hopefully when they visit Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday.

Lazio are also coming off a 2-1 defeat, as they were unable to exploit 10-man Udinese last weekend, although they did win their first match against Venezia (3-1) not too long ago.

The pre-game SBOTOP betting odds predict a tight contest between Lazio and AC Milan, so football fans over in Rome are in for a spectacle.

 

Talking Points

Time to step up for Lazio’s holdovers

Much of Lazio’s success this season will hinge heavily on the development of their frontline sans Ciro Immobile, who transferred to Besiktas this summer.

Immobile’s departure was a huge loss for the Biancocelesti since he was the team’s all-time top scorer with 207 goals, helping Lazio win the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italia twice during his time at Stadio Olimpico.

With Immobile gone, Lazio will rely on Taty Castellanos and Mattia Zaccagni to produce goals this season, and both are off to a decent start, as they found the back of the net in their opening-day victory against Venezia.

Another player who will have a pivotal role to play this season is Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, one of their top summer signings following the departures of Luis Alberto and Felipe Anderson. The 23-year-old arrived at Stadio Olimpico on loan, and if everything works out, Lazio can trigger his buy option.

Head coach Marco Baroni is not expected to make changes in his starting XI this weekend because they don’t have new injury concerns or suspension issues.

The only player that’s missing in the rotation is standout centre-back Mario Gila, who is dealing with a thigh injury.

 

Fonseca has yet to find a winning combination for AC Milan

After a brilliant start in pre-season, Paulo Fonseca is now facing a lineup dilemma, as some of his key players ahead of the Lazio match are reportedly unfit.

Alvaro Morata was sorely missed against Parma, and the Euro 2024 winner is listed as doubtful to play, and it doesn’t help that backups Noah Okafor and Luka Jovic didn’t impress last time out.

Fellow summer signing Youssouf Fofana is not yet fully fit, so he could be brought off the bench yet again, while Malick Thiaw might sit another game out due to a sprained ankle.

Christian Pulisic was the lone bright spot against Parma since he scored the equaliser, which should’ve been the turning point for AC Milan.

 

History

Despite their lacklustre opening run of Serie A 2024 results, there’s some optimism for AC Milan to get their act together, given their winning streak over Lazio.

AC Milan completed a league double over Lazio last term via an aggregate tally of 3-0. Overall, the Rossoneri have won five of their last six league games against the Biancocelesti (L1), and these two sides have not drawn in Serie A since November 2018 (1-1).

If AC Milan win again on Saturday, they will have recorded two consecutive away wins over Lazio for the first time since a period between 2007 and 2009, when they won three straight.

It also means that Lazio will lose two of their first three matches of the season in consecutive Serie A campaigns for the first time since 1953-54 and 1954-55.

 

Betting Tip

As mentioned, the Serie A 2024 odds expect a close fight between Lazio and AC Milan, despite the visitors’ recent unbeaten streak over the hosts. AC Milan are the slight favourites at 2.40, while Lazio are not far behind at 2.69, and a draw is at 3.20 in the 1X2 market.

There have been enough goals to go by in their recent meetings, and we feel that such a trend will continue on Saturday. Because this game could go either way, perhaps our recommended bet above is the safest.

Moreover, if you fancy the chances of the Rossoneri to extend their undefeated run over the Biancocelesti, why not also go for a Correct Score of 2-0 in the former’s favour, given its high payout of 13.00?

   

●●●

CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS

Stay updated with everything sports and betting.

Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.