AC Milan vs Lazio

San Siro plays host to a mouth-watering Serie A showdown between high-flying AC Milan and resurgent Lazio.

After ensuring a hard-fought 1-0 away win over Sampdoria on the opening weekend, Milan hammered sub-par Cagliari 4-1 at home last time out to confirm last season’s second-place finish was no fluke. Last season’s runners-up now entertain the prospect of opening a new top-flight campaign with three straight victories twice in a row for the second time in their history. Despite Lazio’s household status in Italy’s top-tier football, this could be a prime opportunity for the ‘Rossoneri‘ to make history as they’ve lost just one of their last 31 home Serie A H2Hs (W19, D11). Interestingly, though, Milan have drawn more matches against Lazio (59) than against any other side in Serie A despite none of their last five top-flight H2Hs ending level (W3, L2).

Meanwhile, Maurizio Sarri has enjoyed a bright start to his adventure at Lazio, winning both opening Serie A fixtures by an aggregate score of 9-2. Interestingly, the ‘Biancocelesti‘ conceded the opener within five minutes of play in both top-flight matches under Sarri but managed to win the first half by an identical 3-1 scoreline on each occasion. If the visitors score here, they will eclipse their most prolific three-game start to a new top-flight season (9 goals). Additionally, Lazio could win their opening three Serie A games for only the third time in the club’s top-flight history, last doing so in 2012/13. Action-packed first-half football is well on the cards, as Sarri’s men have scored more goals (6) before half-time than any other Serie A side this season, getting on the scoresheet within six minutes in both league outings so far.