Napoli vs Lazio: Match Preview, Team News, Prediction

On Thursday, April 22, 2021, the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona hosts Napoli vs Lazio in Matchday 32 of the 2020/21 Serie A.

In the 129 times that the two clubs have played each other in Serie A, the Biancocelesti have won on 38 occasions, the Partenopei have won on 50 occasions and there have been 41 draws. When playing at home, Napoli has a record of 32W-22D-10L against Lazio.

As it stands in the top flight of Italian football, the Biancocelesti sit in sixth with a record of 18-4D-8L (58 points) and the Partenopei sit in fifth with a record of 19W-3D-9L (60 points).


Napoli

In Napoli’s recent match, they tied 1-1 against Inter Milan at home. The Partenopei have been in good form and playing their best football to date, as they have just one loss in their last nine matches in Serie A. Napoli opened the score by an own goal from Inter goalkeeper, Samir Handanovic, as he made a rare mistake. However, nearing the hour mark, Christian Eriksen scored a power shot past the Napoli goalkeeper from just outside the box. It was a crucial point for Napoli as they’re now only two points back of Juventus who idle the final Champions League spot.

Lorenzo Insigne has been on fire for Napoli this year. He has 15 goals and five assists this season and has scored two goals in the past four matches in Serie A.

Probable Starting Lineup

  • Meret; Di Lorenzo, Manolas, Koulibaly, Mario Rui; Fabian Ruiz, Bakayoko; Politano, Zielinski, Insigne; Osimhen

Gennaro Gattuso will be without Ospina, Ghoulam and Demme for this clash.


Lazio

This match takes place after Lazio won 5-3 against Benevento at the Stadio Olimpico. It was a decent result from the Biancocelesti, who put forth a good performance yet almost let the win slip away. Lazio led by 4-1 at a point in the match, however, Benevento scored two straight and made it more difficult than anticipated for the Biancocelesti. Ciro Immobile scored in the final minute of added time to ensure the 5-3 victory and secure all three points.

Joaquin Correa got back into the goal column as he snapped a three-game scoreless drought. It was just his second goal in Lazio’s past five games in Serie A yet he is showing positive signs in his play and has looked much more confident as of late.

Probable Starting Lineup

  • Reina; Marusic, Acerbi, Radu; Lazzari, Milinkovic-Savic, Lucas Leiva, Luis Alberto, Fares; Correa, Immobile

Simone Inzaghi will be without Luiz Felipe and Escalante for this clash.


Final Words

Out of their 12 meetings in Serie A, Lazio have only won on three occasions against Napoli. However, in recent times, the Biancocelesti have started to turn it around against the Partenopei, as they’ve managed to win two of the past three meetings. It is also important to note that three of their past five meetings have been decided by a single goal.

Immobile returned to his scoring ways as he scored a brace in Lazio’s recent match versus Benevento. The Italian ended an eight-game scoreless drought in Serie A and will aim to build off his past performance. The striker has been successful against Napoli; he’s managed to score five goals and three assists in the past seven fixtures against them. He’s also scored in five straight Serie A matches versus the Partenopei.

Aside from having another successful season with Napoli, Insigne has been effective versus Lazio. The forward has two goals in the past three matches versus Lazio in Serie A. In total, he has amassed five goals and three assists in Serie A versus the Biancocelesti in his nine seasons with Napoli.

If Lazio are to move up in the standings, they will need to be highly motivated, not let their guard down against a Napoli side who are in good form and been difficult to beat.


Prediction

Napoli 2-1 Lazio

Tags Lazio Napoli Napoli v Lazio Napoli vs Lazio Napoli-Lazio Serie A