Sarri’s goal machine set for San Siro showdown
Shakeup of Serie A
Top of the tree Lazio take on fellow unbeaten side AC Milan on Sunday and it looks set to be an instant classic. Just two games into this intriguing Serie A season, and the title race is certainly wide open. With Inter losing Romelu Lukaku in the summer, Juventus losing a certain Portuguese striker to Manchester United and other interesting subplots emerging around Serie A, this game could lay down a marker for the title for either team if they’re to win this one. Lazio have opened their account this season with a 1-3 win against newly promoted Empoli followed by a 6-1 drubbing of Spezia before the international break. Milan find themselves with a perfect start from their opening two games, with a 0-1 win at Sampdoria and a 4-1 win against Cagliari seeing them sit on six points as well.
Zlatan’s return?
Goals from Sandro Tonali, Rafael Leao and a brace from summer addition Olivier Giroud underlined Milan’s title push, with Stefano Pioli carrying over Milan’s good form from last season, a campaign that saw them finish second in Serie A. However, with Giroud only just returning his first negative COVID test, he looks set to miss out so we could see a quite anticipated return to the Milan starting line up in one Zlatan Ibrahimovic. I would’ve gone with the big Swede to score but there’s still no guarantee that he’ll start up top on Sunday, so I think it’s too much of a risk at 1.80 odds with bet365. In the away dugout, Maurizio Sarri will have a full plethora of players to choose from with both Manuel Lazzari and Luiz Felipe passing fitness tests for the trip to the San Siro. Frontman Ciro Immobile will be looking to continue his rich vein of form in front of goal, bagging four times in the opening two fixtures already, looking to stake an early claim for the ‘Capocannoniere’. He’ll be supported by the likes of Luis Alberto, Felipe Anderson, and Pedro in attack.
The Sarri Effect
‘Sarri-ball’ is in full swing in the capital, with Lazio scoring a tonne of goals in their opening two games and playing a quick, high-pressing, intense brand of football, tallying up nine goals across their first two games. With Milan also grabbing four against Cagliari last time out, goals seems to be the order of the day on Sunday, especially with the potential return of Zlatan for the hosts.
Both teams have started with a blistering attack, and I can’t see any reason for it to stop here. The first major test for both sides, and I expect them both to step up to the occasion. That’s why I’m going with over 3.5 goals with bet365.
Post bet chat Archie's Tips:
0-2 Milan win. Zlatan came off the bench to score, had he started I'd have fancied our chances. Lazio didn't turn up, we'll bounce back next week