Lazio vs Napoli: Match Preview
Lazio host Napoli at the Stadio Olimpico in Matchday 19 of the 2019/20 Serie A.
Looking at the previous ten matches between the two sides – from January of 2015 to January of 2019 – the Biancocelesti have won on one occasion, the Partenopei have won on eight occasions and there has been one draw. In more recent times, Lazio lost 2-1 in the first leg in Rome and 2-1 in the return leg at the Stadio San Paolo in the 2018/19 Serie A campaign.
In regards to form in the Serie A this campaign, Simone Inzaghi’s team sits in third with a record of 12W-3D-2L (39 points), while Gennaro Gattuso’s side sits in eighth with a record of 6W-6D-6L (24 points); the last round of Italian football saw the Biancocelesti defeat Brescia 3-0 and the Partenopei lose to Inter Milan 3-1.
Lazio vs Napoli: Expected Lineups
Lazio (3-5-2): Strakosha; Radu, Acerbi, Luiz Felipe; Lulic, Luis Alberto, Leiva, Milinkovic-Savic, Lazzari; Caicedo, Immobile.
Napoli (4-3-3): Ospina; Mario Rui, Di Lorenzo, Manolas, Hysaj; Zielinski, Fabian Ruiz, Allan; Insigne, Milik, Callejon.
Lazio vs Napoli: Key Takeaways
Lazio finds themselves in fine form heading into this encounter winning nine straight matches; they are unbeaten in their last twelve matches in the Serie A. Ciro Immobile continues to impress for Lazio this season as the striker leads the league with 19 goals and was vital in their recent match against Brescia scoring twice. In the last eight games between the two clubs, Napoli is unbeaten in eight consecutive matches with Lazio; they have won five straight against the Biancocelesti. In addition, the capital side has been unable to score more than a goal in any of those matches.
Lazio vs Napoli: Prediction
This match takes place after Lazio won 2-1 at the Mario Rigamonti against Brescia. It was a deserved result for the Biancocelesti who were the stronger side for most of the match. Ciro Immobile continues to lead the way up front, scoring his league-leading 18th and 19th goal of the season in the match. The Italian scored the winning goal and helped the Biancocelesti secure three points. Brescia’s last victory against Lazio dated back to May 2004 and that drought will continue after their 2-1 loss.
As for the Partenopei, their struggles continue this season after losing 3-1 against Inter Milan at the San Paolo. The team has shown signs of inconsistency and poor form this season which has prevented the team from winning matches. Napoli has won only once in their last five matches and will hope to get back into the win column versus Lazio. In their recent match against Inter Milan, Romelu Lukaku led the way with two goals to help the Nerazzurri keep pace with Juventus for first place in the Serie A standings. Napoli made a coaching change early in December replacing Carlo Ancelotti with Gennaro Gattuso. However, the results have not fared much better with the ex-Milanisti having a record of one win, two losses and no draws in his three matches with the club. Napoli continues to be their own enemy in their matches with mistakes that should be avoided.
Lazio will look to take advantage of a fragile club that has found it difficult to win this season, while Napoli will face a club that is highly motivated at the moment as they have won their last nine matches and are unbeaten in their past twelve games.
Prediction: Lazio 2-1 Napoli
