AC Milan vs Lazio

AC Milan host Lazio in their week 26 match at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza at San Siro. An injury plagued Milan were held to a frustrating draw on the road in their midweek match, while Lazio were able to pick up a big win that helps them move farther away from the relegation zone of Serie A.

The rossoneri were held to a 1-1 draw by Catania in their last match. Milan were missing important players such as Kaka’, Nesta, Ronaldo and Dida and were certainly not at their best. The result leaves Carlo Ancelotti’s club in 5^th place of the league table with 42 points. They now sit 2 points back of Fiorentina while holding a 6 point edge over 6^th place Udinese. With neither Kaka’ nor Pippo Inzaghi slated to start this week Milan look to go with a 4-3-1-2 featuring Seedorf playing just behind Pato and Gilardino. The injured list remains the same as it was for the last match with Favalli also missing out due to suspension. The Australian keeper Kalac will once again start for Dida while Bonera will cover in the back line for Nesta. AC Milan have posted 2 wins and 3 draws in their last 5 matches.

Lazio picked up victory from a match they absolutely had to win in week 25 when they defeated Reggina by a score of 1-0 at home. Reggina have been battling relegation all year long and Lazio were in no position to drop points at home to them. With the win the side managed by Delio Rossi are now in 12^th place of Serie A with 29 points for the season. They are 1 point behind 11^th place Napoli and 2 points up on 13^th place Torino. They have posted 3 wins at home and 2 losses on the road over their last 5 matches and will be looking to change that pattern this week away to Milan. There are 2 confirmed absences at this time and they involve Zauri and Mutarelli. Like Milan, Lazio will use a 4-3-1-2 with Mauri playing behind the big 2 of Rocchi and Goran Pandev.

The edge has to go to AC Milan this week. While it is true that they have not played consistently at home this season with just 4 wins from 12 matches, Lazio have won just 1 match on the road and their form as a whole drops immensely when they are away from the Stadio Olimpico. They will need to play a mistake free match at the back.

Prediction: AC Milan (1-0)