Milan visit Rome to face Lazio in what is considered a do-or-die game for the Rossoneri.
Inter’s win over Roma has put the Nerazzurri back in the driving seat of the Scudetto race this season. With 72 points from 33 games, Inter are currently at the top of the table, with Milan hunting them down with 71 points from the same number of games. A win over Lazio could help Stefano Pioli regain the zenith, while Lazio are also chasing their European aspirations.
Having garnered 56 points from 33 matches, the Biancocelesti are currently seventh, finishing where will not give them the pass to UEFA Europa Conference League. They need to finish sixth at least to qualify for the respective tournament, the third-tier of the European competition.
Milan lost their last game against Inter, knocking them out of this year’s Coppa Italia. But Pioli’s team has not survived many setbacks recently, extending their unbeaten run in the top tier of Italian football to 11 matches. On the other hand, Lazio have been inconsistent in the league this season.
The Recent Form (in the last five matches in Serie A)
Lazio: W-L-W-W-D
Milan: W-W-D-D-W
Team News
Despite the early scares of an illness outbreak in the Lazio camp, Sarri will understandably get his superstars to field his team for the game against Milan. In the press conference, Sarri confirmed that Sergej Milinković-Savić was doing better. However, Patric and Pedro will be on the sideline with their respective injuries.
As for Milan, Simon Kjaer and Zlatan Ibrahimovic remain out, with Alessandro Florenzi being a doubt ahead of a mega clash against Lazio. Ante Rebic has recently returned to the training, meaning his return to the action could be on the cards for the Rossoneri on Sunday evening.
Predicted XIs
Lazio (4-3-3): Strakosha; Lazzari, Luiz Felipe, Acerbi, Hysaj; Milinkovic-Savic, Leiva, Luis Alberto; Anderson, Immobile, Zaccagni
Milan (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Calabria, Kalulu, Tomori, Hernandez; Kessie, Tonali; Messias, Diaz, Leao; Giroud
For Milan, Giroud must find his goalscoring boot. The Frenchman has been dreadful in front of the goal of late. Rebic’s return could be a boost for Pioli. Immobile scored a hat-trick against Genoa earlier this month. He could create the difference on Sunday against Milan. The Rossoneri cannot afford to drop points if they are willing to keep Inter under pressure in a title race reaching its finishing line.
