Verdict: Home win
Best odds: 63/50
Bookmaker: ZetBet
Lazio and Napoli, both defeated by Inter Milan in the Supercoppa Italiana, are set to face each other in Serie A on Sunday evening at Stadio Olimpico.
The two southern rivals have experienced contrasting fortunes in recent weeks, with Lazio making progress up the standings while Napoli face severe challenges in maintaining their form as reigning champions.
Lazio
After their participation in the Super Cup and a mid-season break in Saudi Arabia, Lazio will return to Serie A action with the aim of continuing their positive momentum. The team, led by coach Maurizio Sarri, has secured four consecutive league victories against Empoli, Frosinone, Udinese, and Lecce, as well as a triumph over arch-rivals Roma in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals.
Sarri, who has expressed dissatisfaction with the new Supercoppa format, is eager to resume league competition at Stadio Olimpico. Lazio are currently in the top six and have a rather challenging schedule ahead, including the league match against Atalanta, as well as a Champions League clash with Bayern Munich in the coming weeks.
Lazio’s 2-1 victory over Napoli earlier in the season now has Sarri eyeing a third consecutive league win over his former club. With ambitions of maintaining their upward trajectory, his men face key matches against top-four contenders and aim to build on their recent success in Italian top flight.
Team News
Lazio will be without two key members of their attacking trident, with captain Ciro Immobile and Mattia Zaccagni serving suspensions. In their absence, Taty Castellanos and Gustav Isaksen are expected to step up and provide inspiration in the final third. Felipe Anderson, who has not scored in 11 Serie A matches against Napoli but has contributed three assists in the last three encounters, will likely play a crucial role.
The absence of Spanish center-back Patric due to a shoulder injury may continue, and his compatriot Mario Gila might need to fill in at the heart of Lazio’s defence on Sunday.
Napoli
After facing Fiorentina in the Supercoppa semi-finals and a narrow defeat to Inter in the final, Napoli are looking to rebound in Serie A, where they currently sit ninth. Champions League qualification remains a goal, and they are also in the knockout phase of the competition, set to face Barcelona in the last 16.
Napoli are aiming to overcome recent struggles and win consecutive league games for the first time since September. However, they have faced challenges, including scraping past Salernitana with a late goal from Amir Rrahmani.
The team has struggled in away matches, losing their last three without scoring. They are currently under strong pressure to improve their performance, especially at home, where they have not lived up to expectations.
Despite recent difficulties, Napoli can draw confidence from their strong historical record against Lazio, having won eight of their last 10 away games against them in Serie A, scoring 20 goals in the process.
Team News
Napoli have serious personnel problems for this game.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Giovanni Simeone, and Jens Cajuste are suspended, while Frank Anguissa and Victor Osimhen are on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations. Goalkeeper Alex Meret, and defenders Mathias Olivera and Natan are also sidelined due to injuries.
In response to the crisis, coach Walter Mazzarri might resort to throwing new boys Leander Dendoncker and Cyril Ngonge into the fray from the start.
Conclusion
With no Kvaratskhelia or Osimhen in their ranks, Napoli’s attacking section will be notably weakened. Lazio will likely take advantage of the situation to focus more freely on scoring at the other end, and a home victory seems far likelier than any other outcome.
Verdict: Home win
Best odds: 63/50
Bookmaker: ZetBet
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