Fans are preparing to witness another important fixture which could play a key role in determining Italy’s representatives in European competitions next season as Lazio host Napoli.
Lazio currently sit in sixth place, a point above Fiorentina who have a game in hand and could depose them with a win in their own fixture.
Napoli, meanwhile, sit comfortably in third place and a win could see them go second, following Internazionale’s failure to secure a win in their Friday clash against Genoa.
A loss, however, will not affect their league position by much, but they will be seeking to bounce back after an underwhelming run of form in the past few games, including a devastating loss to Barcelona at home in the Europa League.
Both teams have all to play for, but we predict Lazio will be willing to fight even harder as they risk dropping out of their current European perch.
Form Guide: Lazio
Lazio have been better at home, losing just one game in 26 Serie A matches this season. In the last six games, they have amassed 11 points, which makes them the third most in-form team in Serie A in that time frame.
They have scored two goals or more in seven of their last 15 games and most of those goals have come at the Stadio Olimpico. Maurizio Sarri’s side have scored the most goals in the Serie A this season aside defending champions Inter, showing the potency of the Biancocelesti’s attack.
Against Napoli, however, they have failed to triumph in four of their last five fixtures, losing 13-5 in that time frame. However, the only game they won is at the Stadio Olimpico, where they have been really formidable this season.
Form Guide: Napoli
Napoli are going into this fixture like a wounded lion after being battered by Barcelona in Thursday’s Europa League fixture which saw them knocked out of Europe this season. Luciano Spaletti’s side will be looking to shake off that loss, coupled with a shaky form in the Serie A in the past few weeks.
Regardless, they have been Serie A’s top side in the past six games, winning 14 points from the 18 on offer. They are also the Serie A’s best defence, having conceded only 18 goals at this stage of the tournament. However, they are not scoring as much anymore, but manage to score just enough to keep afloat.
They have a historical advantage against the capital club, winning 18 times in their last 35 matches against Lazio, both home and away. That fact could also come into play in this game, as they have already beaten Lazio this season and have won more away games than Lazio have won home games (13 away wins for Napoli; 12 home wins for Lazio).
Lazio vs Napoli Prediction
This game could go anyways in terms of an outright winner because of factors like Lazio’s Serie A home record and their lethal attack, as well as Napoli’s historical advantage and current run of away wins. One thing we’re certain about, however, is goals from both teams, which means over 1.5 could be a safe pick.
A value tip could be backing a penalty goal as both teams have won the most penalties in the Serie A this season. Napoli’s big forward, Victor Osimhen, is a terror to defences which always leads to fouls and penalties for the Azzuri. Meanwhile, Ciro Immobile is adept at sneaking into tight spaces to win fouls of his own and this could also provide a penalty opportunity for Lazio.
Anytime Goalscorer
Ciro Immobile has 19 goals this season for the Biancocelesti and scored twice in their last three Serie A games. As the Serie A’s leading goalscorer with his sights set on another golden boot, he is most likely to pop up with a goal regardless of the result for Lazio.