Serie A
Napoli face Lazio at the San Paolo
Napoli will look to cement second place in Serie A, as they face Lazio at the San Paolo on Sunday night.
The Partenopei have been in great form of late, winning six of their last seven Serie A games.
However, Carlo Ancelotti’s side has been decimated by injuries and suspensions with key players such as Kalidou Koulibaly, Lorenzo Insigne and Allan all suspended for Sunday’s game.
Slovakian midfielder Marek Hamsik also looks set to miss out due to injury. Sunday’s match will be a big test of Napoli’s strength in depth.
For Lazio, they are unbeaten in their last three Serie A games, winning two and drawing one.
They are currently in the Champions League places but have an awful recent record against Napoli.
Le Aquile have lost 10 of their last 13 Serie A meetings against the side from Naples.
Simeone Inzaghi’s side have to improve against the top six clubs in Serie A. Their record this season has seen them fail to win against any of the big clubs.
In fact, Lazio have lost four and drawn one against the top six.
Team News
As mentioned, Napoli are decimated with injuries and suspensions. Dries Mertens and Raul Albiol will need fitness tests.
With Lorenzo Insigne also missing, Adam Ounas could partner Arkadiusz Milik in attack.
Youth team player Sebastiano Luperto is the only remaining option at center-back along with Nikola Maksimovic if Albiol doesn’t make it.
For Lazio, midfielder Adam Marusic is suspended, so Senad Lulic is expected to replace him.
Other than that Lazio boss Simeone Inzaghi has a full strength side to choose from.
Previous Encounters
Napoli won the last encounter 2-1 at the Stadio Olimpico.
Goals from Arkadiusz Milik and Lorenzo Insigne helped secure the win on the opening day of the season.
Lazio’s last win against Napoli came back in 2015, the Biancocelesti have earned just one point in their last seven games against them.
Predicted Line-Ups
Napoli (4-4-2): Meret; Hysaj, Maksimovic, Luperto, Ghoulam; Callejon, Diawara, Zielinski, Fabian Ruiz; Milik, Ounas
Lazio (3-5-2): Strakosha; Luiz Felipe, Acerbi, Radu; Lulic, Parolo, Leiva, Milinkovic-Savic, Lukaku; Luis Alberto; Immobile
Match Prediction
If Napoli were at full strength then they would be big favorities to win all three points.
However, with the likes of Lorenzo Insigne, Allan and Kalidou Koulibaly missing, Lazio will fancy their chances of ending their winless run against Napoli.
Lazio have been poor this season against the big sides and need a victory against them to confirm their Champions League credentials.
Simeone Inzaghi will know this is the best chance they will get and will be eager to maintain their decent form in Serie A.
For Napoli boss Carlo Ancelotti, this is a big test of his sides strength and depth.
With a trip to the San Siro to face Milan next weekend, this is a pivotal two games to keep their slim hopes of winning the Scudetto alive.
Despite Napoli’s injuries, for me Lazio don’t have the self-belief to beat one of the big clubs.
For that reason a draw looks the most likely outcome, which would do neither Napoli’s title chances or Lazio’s Champions League hopes any good.
Prediction: Napoli 1-1 Lazio
Photo credit to favoritnr1smm via Flickr
