Lazio take on Napoli at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Matchday 14 of the 2021/22 Serie A.
Napoli Team News
Napoli have a record of 10W-2D-1L (32 points) and sit in first place in Serie A.
In their recent league match against Inter, they lost 3-2 at the San Siro. It was Napoli’s first loss this season which ended a 12-game unbeaten streak in Serie A. The Nerazzurri were the more dominant side who created the bulk of chances and maintained possession. Napoli opened the score with a beautiful strike from Piotr Zielinski, yet Inter responded with three consecutive goals as Hakan Calhanoglu, Ivan Perisic, and Lautaro Martinez scored respectively for their side. Dries Mertens managed to cut the deficit to 3-2 yet failed to convert on a chance in the final minutes to tie the match.
Concerning absences, Victor Osimhen, Matteo Politano, Adam Ounas, Alessandro Zanoli, and Andre Zambo Anguissa are the five players who will be unavailable to Luciano Spalletti.
Expected Starting Lineup
Player to Watch
Dries Mertens is likely to start for Napoli in place of Osimhen. Prior to being injured, Osimhen had nine goals and two assists across all competitions and his presence will be missed. However, Mertens is a proven goal scorer who has managed to be a difference-maker for Napoli. In 16 matches versus Lazio, Mertens has four goals and contributed nine assists.
Lazio Team News
Lazio have a record of 6W-3D-4L (21 points) and sit in sixth place in the top flight of Italian football.
In their recent league match against Juventus, they were held to a frustrating 2-0 loss. Although Lazio dominated possession, they struggled in their attack as Ciro Immobile missed the match due to an injury. Lazio looked out of sync without their lead striker and created very few attempts as they had one shot on target. Two costly errors by Lazio were the difference as the Bianconeri were awarded two penalties. Leonardo Bonucci made no mistake from the spot as he converted both chances.
Concerning absences, Adam Marusic is the only player that will be unavailable to Maurizio Sarri for this fixture.
Expected Starting Lineup
Player to Watch
Ciro Immobile has found the back of the net in seven straight Serie A matches against Napoli. Lazio’s last two wins versus Napoli have come from Immobile scoring the game-winner; he will look to add to this tally and continue his strong form versus the Campania-based side.
Match Prediction
The Biancocelesti have won just two of the past twelve Serie A matches versus Napoli (2W-1D-9L). Furthermore, Lazio are winless in seven straight matches as the visitor versus the Partenopei, managing to score more than one goal on only one occasion.
Lazio have struggled after their mid-week matches in the Europa League this season and could find themselves in the same predicament once again. Although Napoli are coming off two straight defeats in all competitions, they have plenty of depth to outmatch Lazio.
This will be a difficult encounter for the Biancocelesti and will need to be defensively sound if they manage to win.
Napoli 2-1 Lazio
