Lazio to face Milan without their two main strikers

Lazio’s Serie A title hopes face a severe challenge when they host AC Milan today without either of their two main strikers while leaders Juventus must deal with the dreaded early kickoff slot against neighbours Torino.

Ciro Immobile and Felipe Caicedo, who between them have provided 37 of second-placed Lazio’s 66 Serie A goals this season, are suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards and their absence could expose their team’s lack of strength in depth.

Immobile, Serie A’s leading scorer with 29 goals, has been everpresent since March last year when he was suspended against Parma.

Lazio, with 68 points from 29 games, are four behind Juventus with nine matches each to play.

Two of Lazio’s other strikers, Bobby Adekanye and Raul Moro, are both injured, leaving Joaquin Correa, who has scored seven league goals this season, as the only recognised centre forward available.

Lazio also have injury worries elsewhere with Senad Lulic out for the rest of the season and Lucas Leiva suffering the after-effects of a knee operation. Adam Marusic and Danilo Cataldi have also been on the treatment table although Lazio are hopeful that at least one of them will be ready for today.

Lazio’s injury problems have in turn meant more playing time for the rest of the squad which, with the combination of heat and a hectic schedule, means they risk running out of gas.