After a summer of heavy investments and big-name reinforcements, AC Milan stand in front of their first big challenge at Stadio Olimpico. The Rossoneri have won both of their Serie A opening matches and will be keen to extend the perfect record against the Italian Super Cup winners.

Youth and Excitement

With the total of 33 players averaging 25.7 in age, Lazio boast one of the youngest and most exciting squads in the Serie A. Biancocelesti are a huge difference to the rest of the top Italian sides in terms of their business model as they do not invest huge amounts of money into new players. Instead, they tend to buy wisely which is a policy that has yielded great results thus far. Simone Inzaghi’s exciting squad made huge waves in the league last season and with a couple of quality names added to the squad, Lazio are hoping to move one step forward and join the Italy’s biggest names in the race for Champions League places. Nani, Lucas Leiva, Felipe Caicedo and Adam Marusic are all names which are expected to add quality and experience to the squad and the fans have every right to feel excited about the new season. Their club was off to a great start to the new season, having defeated Serie A champions in the scintillating 2-3 Super Cup final earlier in August. Lazio failed to latch on the momentum and were forced to settle for a goalless draw against Serie A newcomers SPAL in the curtain-raiser before putting things in their right place with a 2-1 win over Chievo. Possible three points against AC Milan would provide Lazio with a significant morale boost and there is no doubt Inzaghi’s men will do all they can to grab three points.

Apart from Lazio’s key player Felipe Anderson, manager Simone Inzaghi will have no other selection issues to worry about ahead of the AC Milan clash as Federico Marchetti is expected to shake off his knee problem.

Can money buy success?

It’s been far too long since one of Italy’s fallen giants got involved in the race for major honours. AC Milan have been dwelling outside the top three for five years now, having been pushed to as low as 10^th place in the standings in 2014/15 season. With AC Milan’s long-serving president Silvio Berlusconi stepping down and new investors coming into the club, things have changed significantly already. AC Milan ended the summer as one of Europe’s highest spending sides with €185 million spent on new players. The likes of Leonardo Bonucci, Andre Silva, Hakan Calhanoglu, Lucas Biglia, Franck Kessie and Nikola Kalinic, among others, are all seen as significant additions to the squad. With a strongly competitive squad at his disposal, Vincenzo Montella is expected to help AC Milan mount a serious title challenge this year and join Juventus in race for Scudetto. If the beginning of the season is anything to go by, AC Milan fans are in for an exciting season. With two games behind them, Rossoneri boast a perfect record, having beaten Crotone 3-1 and Cagliari 2-1. Four of five AC Milan’s goal have been scored by last season’s key man Suso and the 19-year-old Patrick Cutrone who is keeping the limelight off of the big-money investments with him impressive performances.

Andrea Conti is still nurturing his ankle injury and will not be able to help his teammates at Stadio Olimpico. On the positive note, Giacomo Ventura could return from injury to provide Montella with an important boost.

Verdict

Sunday’s clash at Stadio Olimpico is the biggest game of the weekend. Both Lazio and AC Milan are welcoming it in high spirits and are expected to give their best to grab three points but also an important morale boost after the international break.

Top pick: Under 2.5 goals   2.08 (43/40) @Bet365

Alternative pick 1: Both teams to score – yes   1.65 (11/17) @10Bet

Alternative pick 2: Draw   3.60 (13/5) @Sportingbet