Serie A action resumes on Friday with a big clash in Rome as Lazio takes on AC Milan in a high-stakes match-up.
Bookmaker Pinnacle offers odds at 1.84 for Milan to open the scoring at the Stadio Olimpico, while the odds are at 2.51 for Lazio to get the first goal.
※ Current Odds Date & Time: February 29th, 3:00 P.M. (EST)
It’s a classic battle between an outstanding defense and a prolific attack – Lazio has conceded only nine times at home this season, while Milan averages nearly two goals per game. However, the Rossoneri have also been fragile at the back in away outings this season, and this has resulted in a couple of bad defeats lately.
Stefano Pioli’s men lost their last league match away from home 4-2 to Monza and also suffered a 3-2 road loss against Rennes last week in Europe. A 1-1 home draw versus Atalanta followed on Sunday, meaning Milan’s top-three position is once again under threat.
Lazio sits all the way back in eighth but the gap with the fifth-placed Atalanta is only at six points. With three of the next four league matches coming on home turf, the Biancocelesti can feel confident of their chances to close the gap ahead of the final stretch of the season.
Maurizio Sarri’s team has suffered only three home defeats across all competitions in 2023-24, winning 11 of 18 games and keeping 11 clean sheets in the process. Across their last 13 home games, the Eagles have given up only five goals – Olivier Giroud and the rest of the Milan forwards group have to be at the top of their game for the team to secure three points on Friday.
Giroud turned 37 in September but has been enjoying one of the best seasons of his career. He’s the Serie A’s third top scorer with 12 goals and leads the pack in assists with eight. With the French veteran in top form, Milan’s recent slump shouldn’t last for long.
Lazio has its own veteran banging in the goals as Ciro Immobile recently became the eighth member of the Serie A-s 200-goal club. After going three league games without scoring, Immobile will hope to avoid matching his worst goal drought of the season on Friday.
Immobile and Lazio dominated against Pioli’s side at the Olimpico last season, winning 4-0, but the following two games have ended in Milan victories. Across the last nine meetings, Lazio has collected just two wins. It’s been a difficult match-up for the team in recent years, but the fantastic home form could help Lazio turn things around on Friday night.
