Tonight’s match between Lazio and Napoli will be a duel between top strikers Ciro Immobile and Dries Mertens.
According to a report from Italian radio broadcaster Radiosei (via La Lazio Siamo Noi) earlier today, Partenopei coach Gennaro Gattuso is planning to start the 32-year-old Belgian forward against the Biancocelesti this evening, deploying him in place of Victor Osimhen.
MORE: Ciro Immobile Currently Holds a Five-Match Serie A Goal-Scoring Streak Against Napoli
Mertens has scored 134 goals and provided 86 assists in 353 appearances for Napoli, being one of the most consistent players in the squad.
MORE: Video: Ciro Immobile Won Lazio Match MVP Honors for the Performance Against Benevento
This campaign, the Belgian has made 31 appearances across all competitions so far this season, for a total of 1746 minutes. In that time, he has scored nine goals and provided eight assists.
The 31-year-old Immobile has had a better campaign than Mertens when looking at their statistics. The Italian has a non-penalty expected goals per 90 minutes of 0.45 compared to the Belgian’s 0.32, and Immobile’s 3.51 shots per 90 is also higher than Mertens’ 3.31.