Both without a win in three matches, AC Milan and Lazio will look to get their campaigns back on track when they meet in Serie A's Sunday night contest.
The two top-four contenders have ground to make up if they are to qualify for next season's Champions League, so neither can afford to slip up at San Siro.
Match preview
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Playing out a rescheduled fixture cancelled four months ago, Milan met fellow European hopefuls Bologna on Thursday evening, kicking off at Stadio Dall'Ara level on points with their hosts.
After losing last weekend, when they went down 2-1 to mid-table Torino, the Rossoneri were intent on turning things around - having previously been dumped out of the Champions League.
However, they failed to retain a lead earned by Rafael Leao's first-half strike, as Bologna found the net twice after half time and ultimately ended a nine-year wait to beat Milan in Serie A.
As a result, Sergio Conceicao's inconsistent side only occupy eighth place in the standings - eight points shy of Juventus, who hold the final top-four spot.
Milan have not lost three league games in a row for two years, so Conceicao - already under pressure despite being appointed at the start of this year - cannot afford another setback against his old club.
The former Lazio winger may have begun by lifting the Supercoppa Italia, but he knows that failing to secure a seat at Europe's top table could prove fatal for his long-term prospects.
Following a 2-2 draw in August's reverse fixture, Milan have lost only one of the teams' last seven league meetings; and with seven wins from the last eight at San Siro, they will be keen to continue in that vein.
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Lazio have succeeded just once in their last 34 attempts to beat the Rossoneri away from home in Serie A, losing no fewer than 22 times in the process.
Their sole success during that spell dates back to November 2019, but the Rome club can approach this encounter in better form than their ailing hosts.
While Milan have already exited Europe, the Biancocelesti will continue their Europa League campaign next Thursday, with the first leg of a last-16 tie against Viktoria Plzen.
Furthermore, despite drawing both of their last two league games - against Napoli and Venezia - they are within striking distance of fourth-placed Juventus and sit six points above this week's opponents.
Marco Baroni's men were beaten last time out, though, as Tuesday's Coppa Italia loss to Inter Milan ended dreams of claiming an eighth national cup - Inter will now meet Milan in the semi-finals.
Without injured striker Taty Castellanos, Lazio have not found the net in either of their last two matches, so Baroni will seek an end to that trend when his team make a swift return to San Siro.
Team News
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While Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Alessandro Florenzi and Emerson Royal are still absent from Milan's squad, Luka Jovic returned to first-team action in midweek and Kyle Walker could be involved on Sunday.
The latter has overcome a thigh injury and may even be ready to replace Alex Jimenez at right-back, potentially linking up with a recalled Christian Pulisic.
Almost certain to start up front - with Jovic and Tammy Abraham consigned to the bench - recent signing Santiago Gimenez has already faced Lazio four times with former club Feyenoord, scoring five goals against them.
Meanwhile, Marco Baroni is still missing main marksman Taty Castellanos, in addition to Elseid Hysaj and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru.
Ex-Milan man Alessio Romagnoli was taken off at half time of Tuesday's cup defeat due to a muscular problem, and he may not be available to start at centre-back; Mario Gila and Samuel Gigot could be paired instead.
Featuring on the left wing, Lazio skipper Mattia Zaccagni has played a part in six goals from seven league games in 2025; only Atalanta BC's Mateo Retegui (10) has recorded more goal involvements this calendar year.
AC Milan possible starting lineup:
Maignan; Walker, Thiaw, Pavlovic, Hernandez; Fofana, Musah; Pulisic, Reijnders, Leao; Gimenez
Lazio possible starting lineup:
Provedel; Lazzari, Gila, Gigot, Tavares; Guendouzi, Rovella; Isaksen, Dia, Zaccagni; Tchaouna
We say: AC Milan 2-2 Lazio
Satisfying neither side, these teams could draw for the second time this season, allowing others to gain an advantage in the race for European qualification.
While Lazio seem more united than Milan, both have defensive flaws, so there could be multiple goals in an entertaining stalemate.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Jonathan O'Shea
