AC Milan will look to build on an impressive derby win when they host Lazio in an Italian Serie A fixture on Saturday. The Rossoneri have impressed at home this season, while the visitors have found things difficult on their travels.
AC Milan are coming off a 1-0 victory over Inter Milan in their previous Serie A fixture, with Christian Pulisic getting the goals. That result extends a lengthy unbeaten run for Massimiliano Allegri's team, who have not lost since the opening weekend.
The San Siro has been a fortress for AC Milan this season, having gone unbeaten in their last six matches. The Rossoneri have picked up five wins on this run, with victories over champions Napoli and leaders Roma among their results.
Lazio were also victorious last time out in Serie A, earning a 2-0 home win over Lecce thanks to goals from Matteo Guendouzi and Tijjani Noslin. The capital club are now unbeaten in seven of their last eight league matches and are up to eighth in the table.
The problem for Lazio is a poor away record, having failed to win five of their last six matches on the road. They also struggle in attack and are without a goal in five of those six matches.
How the bookies view it: Bookies backing Milan
AC Milan have been installed as overwhelming favourites and are priced at 6/10 by William Hill to claim a home win. A victory for Lazio is valued at 5/1 by Betfred, while a draw is set at odds of 31/10 by bet365.
Head to head: Milan with the upper hand
AC Milan have a 26-13 advantage, with 16 draws in the last 55 matches against Lazio. The Rossoneri have also won five of the last six home meetings but were beaten 2-1 in last season’s clash at San Siro.
Players to watch: Pulisic back among the goals
Christian Pulisic showed his importance to AC Milan last time out by scoring the winner in the derby. The forward now has five league goals this season and will be keen to increase his tally (Christian Pulisic anytime goalscorer – priced at 15/8 by bet365).
With Lazio struggling for goals on their travels, AC Milan will be targeting a shutout, having kept clean sheets in two of their last three away matches. Mattia Gabbia and Fikayo Tomori have impressed at the back lately and can lead the hosts to a clean sheet, valued at 23/20 by William Hill.
Probable line-ups:
Santiago Gimenez is the only major injury doubt for AC Milan, with the striker currently nursing an ankle injury. Pulisic could start in attack alongside Rafael Leao, while Luka Modric is set to feature in midfield.
Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Matteo Cancellieri are currently nursing injuries and are likely to miss Saturday's clash. Noslin could earn a start after coming off the bench to score last time out, while Mario Gila is expected to continue at the back.
AC Milan: Maignan, Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlovic, Saelemaekers, Fofana, Modric, Rabiot, Bartesaghi, Leao, Pulisic.
Lazio: Provedel, Marusic, Gila, Romagnoli, Pellegrini, Guendouzi, Vecino, Basic, Isaksen, Noslin, Zaccagni.
Anything else catch the eye?
AC Milan have led at the break in four of their last five home matches (AC Milan halftime win – offered at 6/5 by William Hill). The hosts have scored over 1.5 goals in four of their last five home matches (AC Milan over 1.5 goals – set at odds of 3/4 on William Hill).
The Rossoneri have won to nil in four of their last five home matches against Lazio (AC Milan win to nil – available at 6/4 by Paddy Power).
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