Lazio vs AC Milan Predicted Lineups: Team News for Serie A Clash

Lazio and AC Milan meet at Stadio Olimpico in Rome in a heavyweight Serie A clash early in the 2026–27 campaign. Both sides are unbeaten after three rounds, and this fixture already feels like a six-pointer in the race for European places. With the match not yet started and official lineups still to come, this analysis focuses on predicted lineups and the most likely starting XI choices based on current squad data, injuries and early-season form.

Lazio come into this game flying. They sit 3rd in Serie A with 9 points from 3 matches, a perfect record of three wins from three, scoring 4 and conceding just 1. Their league form string reads “WWW”, underlining a strong, controlled start that has put them on track for another Champions League push. Playing at home, they will expect to dictate large parts of the game, and their predicted lineups today should reflect an attacking yet balanced approach.

AC Milan are not far behind. They are 5th with 7 points, having won two and drawn one, with a goal difference of +3 (5 scored, 2 conceded). Their league form “DWW” shows they are also in good shape, and their recent record suggests they grow stronger as games go on. With both teams unbeaten and the predictions model giving Lazio and the draw a combined 90% chance (45% home win, 45% draw, 10% away win), this looks set to be a tight, tactical battle where the starting lineup choices could be decisive.

Lazio Team News & Expected Lineups Today

Lazio’s squad situation is complicated by a cluster of injuries and doubts, especially in defence and central midfield. Confirmed absentees for this fixture include D. Cataldi (groin injury), A. Furlanetto (knee injury), Patric (ankle injury), L. Pellegrini (injury) and N. Rovella (injury), all listed as “Missing Fixture”. On top of that, F. Dele-Bashiru and A. Marušić are both questionable with muscle injuries, which could further restrict rotation options.

Despite these issues, Lazio’s league form and defensive record (just 1 goal conceded in 3 matches, with 2 clean sheets) indicate a stable core. Their most used tactical setup so far is an attacking-minded shape built from a back four and a midfield three, with the lineups data showing a 4-3-3 used in all three league games. We should therefore expect a similar structure again, with the coach leaning on in-form players such as top scorer D. Frattesi and lively wide forwards like M. Zaccagni and M. Cancellieri to provide thrust in the final third.

Lazio Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI: (4-3-3)
GK: C. Mandas
DF: D. Doekhi, J. Šutalo, Nuno Tavares, Pedraza
MF: D. Frattesi, M. Lazzari, K. Taylor
FW: M. Zaccagni, A. Guðmundsson, M. Cancellieri

This predicted lineup balances Lazio’s need for continuity with the constraints imposed by injuries. In goal, with A. Furlanetto ruled out by a knee injury, C. Mandas is the logical choice as the senior available goalkeeper. At the back, Patric and L. Pellegrini are unavailable, so the defensive unit is likely to be built around D. Doekhi and J. Šutalo as the central pairing, with Nuno Tavares and Pedraza offering energy and width from full-back.

In midfield, the absence of D. Cataldi and N. Rovella pushes responsibility onto D. Frattesi, who has started the season brilliantly. He is Lazio’s standout attacking threat from midfield with 3 goals in 3 appearances, a strong rating of 7.69, and solid underlying numbers (5 shots, 3 on target, plus 56 passes at 80% accuracy). He should be the advanced runner from midfield, supported by the work rate and ball progression of M. Lazzari and the versatility of K. Taylor. F. Dele-Bashiru is questionable with a muscle issue and therefore not included in the predicted XI.

Up front, Lazio can lean on a fluid attacking trio. M. Zaccagni provides creativity and 1v1 quality from the left, while M. Cancellieri, who has been heavily involved (5 shots, 5 key passes, 88% passing accuracy, but also on the disciplinary radar with a yellow card), offers direct running and pressing intensity on the right. Through the middle, A. Guðmundsson is a natural focal point who can drop between the lines and link play. G. Isaksen is another option from the bench, noted in the disciplinary stats with both yellow and red-card listings, underlining his aggressive style; his ability to stretch the game late on could be important.

AC Milan Team News & Expected Lineups Today

AC Milan’s team news picture is considerably cleaner. There are no players listed as missing or questionable for this fixture, so they approach the game with a full squad. That allows the coach to stick closely to the early-season blueprint that has delivered 2 wins and 1 draw, with 5 goals scored and only 2 conceded. Their league form string of “WWD” suggests a side that starts strongly and has found a good balance between defence and attack.

The lineups data points to AC Milan favouring a flexible, attacking-minded shape built from a back three with wing-backs and a double line of attacking midfielders behind a central striker, as shown by their repeated use of a 3-4-2-1 in all three league games. With plenty of creative and goal-scoring options – including top scorer A. Cissé, key creator S. Chukwueze and the all-round influence of A. Rabiot – the predicted lineups today should feature a front unit capable of interchanging positions and attacking the half-spaces between Lazio’s lines.

AC Milan Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI: (3-4-2-1)
GK: M. Maignan
DF: M. Gabbia, F. Tomori, S. Pavlović
MF: P. Estupiñán, R. Loftus-Cheek, A. Rabiot, S. Chukwueze
FW: C. Pulišić, A. Cissé, Gonçalo Ramos

In goal, M. Maignan is the clear first choice and should retain his spot. The back three is likely to be built around the experience and athleticism of F. Tomori, flanked by M. Gabbia and S. Pavlović. This trio gives AC Milan the pace and aggression needed to deal with Lazio’s mobile front line, while also allowing them to defend higher up the pitch when they step into a more proactive block.

Across midfield, P. Estupiñán is expected to operate from the flank, providing vertical runs and crossing threat, while S. Chukwueze should start on the opposite side as a wide midfielder/winger hybrid. Chukwueze has been one of Serie A’s standout creators so far, with 2 assists, 8 key passes and 89 total passes at 76% accuracy, plus a strong rating of 7.4. Inside, R. Loftus-Cheek and A. Rabiot bring power and technical quality. Rabiot in particular has started well with 1 goal and 1 assist, 70 completed passes at 80% accuracy and a solid defensive contribution (2 tackles, 1 block). Loftus-Cheek, who appears in both yellow and red card disciplinary lists, offers ball-carrying and late runs but will need to manage his aggression.

In attack, AC Milan have the luxury of depth. A. Cissé is their top scorer with 2 goals in 3 appearances and a rating of 7.17, combining direct running (6 dribble attempts) with a willingness to work without the ball (20 duels, 9 won). He is the natural pick to spearhead the attack, supported by C. Pulišić and Gonçalo Ramos operating in the pockets and on the last line respectively. Pulišić’s creativity from advanced midfield and Ramos’ penalty-box instincts make them ideal partners for Cissé, with A. Saelemaekers and O. Hutchinson strong alternatives from the bench.

Injuries and Suspended Players Impact

The injury situation tilts the squad-depth battle towards AC Milan. Lazio are missing several important squad players, particularly in defensive and central midfield roles, and have a couple of key names listed as questionable. AC Milan, by contrast, have no significant absences reported, allowing them to rotate or adjust in-game without compromising quality.

Lazio Absences:

• D. Cataldi — Groin Injury (Missing Fixture)
• A. Furlanetto — Knee Injury (Missing Fixture)
• Patric — Ankle Injury (Missing Fixture)
• L. Pellegrini — Injury (Missing Fixture)
• N. Rovella — Injury (Missing Fixture)
• F. Dele-Bashiru — Muscle Injury (Questionable)
• A. Marušić — Muscle Injury (Questionable)

AC Milan Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

Tactical Analysis: How the Lineups Match Up

On paper, this is a clash between Lazio’s back-four-based attacking structure and AC Milan’s back-three system with aggressive wing-backs. Lazio’s 4-3-3 gives them natural width and a strong central presence, with D. Frattesi pushing high from midfield and wide forwards M. Zaccagni and M. Cancellieri stretching the pitch. AC Milan’s 3-4-2-1, by contrast, aims to create overloads in wide areas via P. Estupiñán and S. Chukwueze, while the inside forwards C. Pulišić and Gonçalo Ramos operate between the lines.

Key matchups will emerge down the flanks. Nuno Tavares and Pedraza will need to handle the dual threat of Chukwueze’s dribbling and Estupiñán’s overlapping runs, while simultaneously offering enough attacking support to pin back AC Milan’s wing-backs. In central areas, the duel between Frattesi and the Rabiot–Loftus-Cheek axis could decide control of the game. Frattesi’s late runs and finishing (3 goals already) will test AC Milan’s defensive organisation, while Rabiot’s ability to break Lazio’s press with forward carries and progressive passing is crucial for transitions. With Lazio boasting a strong defensive record and AC Milan showing a knack for scoring in the 61–75 minute window, expect a cagey first hour followed by a more open final phase where bench options like G. Isaksen, A. Saelemaekers or F. Camarda could become decisive.

Match Prediction and Verdict

Stats suggest a finely balanced contest. Lazio have the edge in the overall comparison index (59.6 vs 40.4), and the Poisson index is heavily in their favour (100 vs 0), reflecting their defensive solidity and home advantage. The outcome probabilities give Lazio a 45% chance to win, the draw also at 45%, and AC Milan just 10%, pointing towards a home-favoured but tight encounter. Betting markets, however, are more bullish on AC Milan, with away odds clustered around 2.22–2.40, implying an away win probability in roughly the 41–45% range, while Lazio’s home odds between about 2.92 and 3.40 translate to roughly 29–34% implied probability.

Balancing those perspectives, the most reasonable verdict is that Lazio’s strong home form and defensive structure should at least avoid defeat, but AC Milan’s attacking talent and clean bill of health make them dangerous. With the predictions model explicitly favouring “Lazio or draw and under 3.5 goals”, a low-scoring stalemate fits both the numbers and the tactical matchup.

Predicted Outcome: Lazio 1–1 AC Milan

How to Watch Lazio vs AC Milan Worldwide

Here is how you can watch the match and see the official lineups today live:

• Spain: Local pay-TV sports channel / streaming platform
• UK: Major sports broadcaster or official league streaming service
• USA / North America: Subscription-based soccer streaming platform
• South America: Regional sports network with Serie A rights
• MENA: Satellite sports network and affiliated streaming app