Lazio (home)
- Lazio are eighth with 24 points from 17.
- Lazio are unbeaten in five Serie A games, winning twice and drawing three times.
- The return of Sarri to the bench after a minor medical procedure recently is a boost for Lazio, who are unbeaten in their last five games, but have drawn their last two.
- A draw in a game of this magnitude isn’t much use to them, so they will need to find a way to push through if they want to take all three points here.
Napoli (away)
- Napoli are third in Serie A with 34 points from 16 games.
- Given Antonio Conte’s remarkable transformation of Napoli to a ruthlessly efficient, compact 3-5-2/3-4-3 team that swept to the title last term, Napoli come into this game as the more likely winners.
- Conte has developed Napoli into a side that will punish mistakes like few others in world soccer, with their wing-backs and midfield runners able to play in behind a two forward line that will counter with devastating effect.
- Rasmus Højlund is Napoli’s most dangerous player with six Serie A goals, including four in their last five.
- Napoli have won their last three games in all competitions, including a 2-0 victory over Bologna in the Super Cup and a 2-0 win away at Cremonese.
- Napoli have only won one of their last three away games, losing twice.
Head-to-Head
In terms of their recent head-to-head record, Lazio have beaten Napoli in two of their last three meetings.
Key Players
- Matteo Cancellieri is highlighted as their best attacking player this season with three goals in 10 Serie A fixtures.
- Rasmus Højlund is noted as Napoli’s most dangerous player with six Serie A goals, including four in their last five.
Betting Insights
- We think Conte’s side are the best bet here, but Lazio’s home record and head-to-head suggest that it will be close.
- Therefore, Under 2.5 goals at 1.58 looks a smart alternative bet given both teams’ defensive discipline and Napoli’s average of 1.11 goals per away game.
Prediction
Napoli enter this game as favourites, and with good reason.
