Serie A Preview: Milan Fight To Stay In The Title Race As Roma, And Lazio Face Crucial Tests

‎As the Serie A season reaches its midpoint, every fixture carries significant weight whether in the title race, European push, or relegation battle.

‎This weekend offers a compelling mix of high-stakes clashes, including AC Milan’s trip to Fiorentina, Lazio’s visit to Verona, and Roma’s attempt to build momentum against Sassuolo.

‎Below is a full breakdown of all three matches, with team news, form analysis, tactical outlooks, and score predictions.

‎Rossoneri Aim to Keep Pressure on Inter

‎AC Milan head into Sunday’s clash needing a response after dropping points at home in midweek.

‎A late Rafael Leão equaliser against Genoa salvaged a draw but left Milan three points behind league leaders Inter. For a team aiming to reclaim the Scudetto, there is little margin for error.

‎Fiorentina, meanwhile, remains deep in relegation danger but has shown faint signs of improvement.

‎After spending most of the season stuck in the bottom two, the Viola have taken seven points from their last four games more than they collected in their first fifteen.

‎Fiorentina

‎Paolo Vanoli’s side continues to leak points late in matches. Their 2–2 draw at Lazio in midweek added to their unwanted tally, Fiorentina have now dropped 18 points from winning positions, the highest in Serie A.

‎However, morale has lifted slightly thanks to recent wins and a busy transfer window.

‎New arrivals, including Manor Solomon, have injected fresh competition, while Robin Gosens and Albert Gudmundsson, especially the Icelandic forward, with nine penalties scored from ten, have been bright spots.

‎At home, Fiorentina have historically troubled Milan, winning three of the last four meetings in Florence.

‎AC Milan

‎Under Massimiliano Allegri, Milan has rediscovered their identity. Machine-like in their approach, compact in defence, and ruthless in transition, the Rossoneri remain the only Serie A team yet to lose away from home this season.

‎Their unbeaten league streak since Matchday 1 highlights the stability Allegri has brought. Even though injuries have mounted with Tomori suspended and attacking options like Gimenez and Nkunku unavailable Leão’s resurgence has come at exactly the right moment.

‎Team News

‎Fiorentina

‎Tariq Lamptey is out, and Edin Džeko is also a possibility. Moise Kean is doubtful due to an ankle issue.

‎Watch for Solomon pushing for a start, and Parisi continuing as an emergency winger.

‎AC Milan

‎Tomori is suspended, so he is out, along with Gimenez and Nkunku. Füllkrug’s fitness is doubtful. Watch for Pulisic partnering with Leão in attack.

‎Prediction: Fiorentina 0–1 AC Milan

‎Expect a tight, tactical affair. Fiorentina have improved, but Milan’s organisation and away form make them favourites to edge it narrowly.

‎Hellas Verona vs Lazio

‎After wild midweek matches, both Verona and Lazio return to action on Sunday with contrasting moods but equal motivation.

‎Verona gave away a 2–0 lead at Napoli, yet the performance hinted at emerging resilience. Lazio, very much in the opposite direction, needed a late Pedro strike to avoid defeat to struggling Fiorentina.

‎Hellas Verona

‎Paolo Zanetti’s men had not won or impressed on the road for years in Naples, so leaving with a point represented progress.

‎Gift Orban continues to grow in influence, while young attackers such as Martin Frese and Giovane offer energy and unpredictability.

‎However, Verona have been poor at home, with just one win from nine at the Bentegodi. Their history against Lazio also offers little comfort: no wins in their last eight meetings, and 17 goals conceded in that run.

‎Lazio

‎Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio are still one of the league’s biggest enigmas. Ninth at the halfway point and plagued by inconsistency, the Biancocelesti look stuck between eras a squad not fully built for Sarri-ball but too talented to sit in mid-table.

‎A worsening injury and suspension crisis further complicates matters, with Mattia Zaccagni suspended and several key players unavailable.

‎Team News

‎Verona

‎The out players are Belghali (AFCON), Akpa Akpro, and Suslov.

‎The doubt/uncertainty centers on Sarr’s rotation decision, with Giovane and Mosquera pushing to start.

‎Lazio

‎Zaccagni is suspended. Patric, Gigot, and Basic are injured, and Dia and Dele-Bashiru are at AFCON. In contention are the new signings, Petar Ratkov, Noslin, and Marusic, returning.

‎Prediction: Hellas Verona 1–1 Lazio

‎Lazio’s depleted squad and poor away form give Verona a rare chance at a result. A balanced, hard-fought draw looks likely.

‎Giallorossi Look to Build Momentum

‎Roma finally got themselves back on track with a composed 2–0 win at Lecce, featuring goals from Evan Ferguson and the injury-hit Artem Dovbyk.

‎After a turbulent winter period that saw them lose to Napoli, Cagliari, and Juventus, the win provides renewed optimism for a top-four push.

‎Roma

‎Gian Piero Gasperini has emphasised the need for discipline and tactical identity, and Roma’s 36 points at the halfway mark, 13 more than last season, reflect clear progress.

‎The imminent return of key players and possible January reinforcements, including Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee, further bolsters their prospects.

‎Sassuolo

‎After returning to Serie A as champions of the second tier, Sassuolo started brightly but has hit a wall. A 3–0 home defeat to Juventus in midweek exposed defensive frailties, particularly their tendency to ship goals in quick bursts.

‎Without star winger Domenico Berardi and with multiple injuries across the squad, Fabio Grosso faces an uphill battle to regain early-season form.

‎Team News

‎Roma

‎Several players are unavailable, Dovbyk is injured, Pellegrini is out, and Cristante is suspended. For AFCON absentees, El Aynaoui and Ndicka are not with the team.

‎Returning to action are Mancini and Hermoso. Watch for Soule rejoining the attack.

‎Sassuolo

‎Sassuolo will be without Berardi, Paz, Romagna, Boloca, and Volpato, while Coulibaly is away on AFCON duty.

‎Meanwhile, Pinamonti is one to watch, having scored five Serie A goals against Roma.

‎Prediction: Roma 2–0 Sassuolo

‎Roma’s defensive discipline and home advantage should be enough to contain Sassuolo’s weakened frontline. Expect a professional, controlled display from the Giallorossi.