Nine Points Each at the Top: Lazio Host Unbeaten AC Milan

Perfect starts put Lazio under pressure to keep pace

Lazio welcome AC Milan to the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday, September 12, with both teams carrying strong early-season records into the fourth round of Serie A. Lazio sit third with nine points from three matches, while AC Milan are fifth on seven. AS Roma lead the table on nine points, meaning Lazio can maintain their position alongside the leaders, whereas Milan have the opportunity to close the gap at the top.

The match begins at 16:00 UTC, with M. Marcenaro appointed referee. Lazio have won all three of their league fixtures, giving them the clearest momentum of the two sides. Milan are also unbeaten, but their sequence of two wins and one draw leaves them two points behind their hosts. With such a narrow early margin, the result could quickly reshape the upper end of the table.

A meeting of contrasting shapes

Lazio have used a 4-3-3 in all three matches, while Milan have consistently selected a 3-4-2-1. That gives the visitors a different structural look and could make the way each team manages space particularly important. Lazio’s familiar four-player defensive shape and three-man midfield will meet Milan’s back three and midfield four, with both systems offering a clear framework that has already produced unbeaten starts.

The home side’s record at the Olimpico is a firm platform: one win, no draws and no defeats, with one goal scored and none conceded. Milan’s away numbers are more productive in attack, with three goals in two matches at an average of 1.50, although they have conceded twice and are yet to keep an away clean sheet. That contrast gives Lazio reason to trust their defensive record and Milan an incentive to test it early.

Frattesi and Milan’s scoring options

D. Frattesi has been Lazio’s leading scorer in the supplied league chart, with three goals in three appearances. His contribution gives the hosts a direct source of threat as they look to extend a perfect winning run. Milan will look to A. Cissè, who has scored twice in three appearances, while A. Rabiot has added one goal and one assist in three games. The visitors therefore have more than one attacking contributor to monitor as they seek a result in Rome.

Absences add another variable

Lazio’s available options are affected by several missing players. D. Cataldi, A. Furlanetto, A. Marusic, Patric, L. Pellegrini and N. Rovella are listed out, while F. Dele-Bashiru is questionable with a muscle injury. The number of absences may encourage Lazio to rely on the established 4-3-3 structure, while Dele-Bashiru’s status adds uncertainty before the line-ups are confirmed. No AC Milan absences are listed in the team news.

Prediction

Prediction: Lazio 1-1 AC Milan. Lazio’s perfect record and home clean sheet make them difficult to overcome, but Milan’s unbeaten start and stronger away scoring average point to a closely balanced contest.