The Serie A title race has been a bizarre and entertaining thing this season. Shocks and upsets and comebacks and more have left Italy’s top division a wildly unpredictable thing, with four teams within two points of one another at the top of the table coming into this weekend. Lazio and AC Milan, however, feel like they’re on the outside looking in, sitting in sixth and eighth respectively -- they’re not that far off the pace, but far enough that it doesn’t feel like they’re in the party right now.
A.C. Milan vs. Lazio 2015 live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch online
Both of these teams feel like they’re on the outside looking in on the Serie A title race, but a win for either could see them right back in the thick of it.
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A win in this match can help propel them back into the title hunt -- a win for Lazio would put them just three points out of first place, and a win for Milan would put them five points out. Given how close-run Serie A has been this season -- and that it looks like it could easily stay that way all year long -- every team needs every point they can get. Wins against potential rivals in the title chase, or at least over teams close to it, are even more vital. Lazio and Milan are led by managers who understand that, so expect this to be a no-holds-barred battle in Rome.
Key player -- Felipe Anderson (Lazio)
Felipe is a divinely talented attacker, and he finally exploded into prominence last season when he went on an incredible run in the second half of Lazio’s season. He’s Lazio’s leading scorer again in the early goings of this season, but you can’t help but feel that he’s taken a bit of a step back from where he was -- but this match is a perfect chance for him to get back into that excellent form. Milan have struggled against wide players who are quick and strong on the ball like Felipe this season -- just look at what Lorenzo Insigne did to them a few weeks ago -- and he could have himself a party out on the pitch if he plays well in this game.
Key matchup -- Lucas Biglia (Lazio) vs. Andrea Bertolacci (Milan)
Bertolacci was a much-derided signing for Milan this summer, thanks to his high price and past production that didn’t nearly fit the bill. While he still hasn’t lived up to that high a fee yet, it’s hard to deny that Bertolacci has been quite good for Milan this season, playing well in several different midfield roles as injuries and tactical adjustments have forced Sinisa Mihajlovic to move him around. He’s going to have a firm test against Biglia today, though -- the Lazio midfielder responded to being given the captain’s armband by playing better than ever. He’s arguably been the best overall player for the Aquile this season since he returned to health, and Biglia and Bertolacci will be tangling all over the pitch in this match.
Lazio injuries and suspensions
Out: Marco Parolo, Keita Balde, Stefan de Vrij In doubt: Mauricio, Wesley Hoedt, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic
AC Milan injuries and suspensions
Out: Mario Balotelli, Jeremy Menez, Ignazio Abate In doubt: Giacomo Bonaventura, Alessio Cerci, M’baye Niang
While Lazio will be mourning the absences of Keita and Parolo, it’s Milan with the greater concerns right now. The absences of Balotelli and Menez -- plus Bonaventura, Cerci and Niang being at well less than 100 percent -- leaves their attack paper-thin. In such an important match, that’s something they can ill-afford.
Match Date/Time: Sunday, 2:45 p.m. ET, 8:45 p.m. local
Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy
TV: beIN Sports (U.S.), Sky Calcio 1, Sky Sport 1 HD Italia (Italy), BT Sport Europe (U.K.)
Online: Fubo TV, beIN Sports Connect (U.S.), Sky Go Italia (Italy), BT Sport Live Streaming (U.K.)
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