Serie A – Match Preview – Napoli vs Lazio

Serie A – Match Preview – Napoli vs Lazio

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This weekend pits rivals Napoli and Lazio against each other after a short turnaround following the midweek Europa League.

Neither team has had an extrodinary start to the season, particularly with Napoli struggling to get started. Although Lazio have two wins from three games (both at home), their away loss to Chievo Verona was very heavy, conceding four unanswered goals.

Napoli would have been disappointed with their 2-2 draw last week against Empoli, however they did come from behind twice to share the spoils. They more than made up for the disappointment with a dominant showing in the Europa League against Belgians Club Brugge, winning 5-0 on Thursday night.

While Lazio made up for last week’s loss, beating Udinese 2-0 at home, they would have been disappointed with their 93rd minute concession in the Europa League against Dnipro.

Key Battle – Raul Albiol vs Antonio Candreva  

This is going to be a tight match and one mistake or moment of brilliance may decide this. Albiol is going to have to stand up in defence after their difficulties to start the Serie A.

Although not directly matching up, these two players will be key to getting their respective teams’ confidence high, either through Albiol getting the defence to start picking up their game or Candreva on the wing to start an important attack.

Team News

Napoli still have a couple of players unavailable this weekend, however none should affect the set up of their team too much. Mirko Valdifiori went off injured in last week’s match against Empoli but was on the bench for the Europa League match so is expected to be fit to play.

After Jorginho’s recent performances, however, he will be expected to start with Valdifiori still on the bench unless the squad is changed a little after Napoli’s European exploits. There is potential for Jose Callejon to be included in the starting lineup after his recent form and Christian Maggio and Kalidou Koulibaly to play in defence as well.

Napoli Expected XI (4-2-3-1): Reina (GK); Maggio, Albiol, Koulibaly, Hysaj; Allan, Jorginho; Hamsik, Callejon, Insigne; Higuain.

Lazio still have some key injuries to Miroslav Klose and Stefan de Vrij among others, though none of these are new injuries from the past week so not a lot is expected to change from their last league game. The same XI from their match against Udinese is expected despite playing Europa League football during the week.

Lazio Expected XI (4-2-3-1): Marchetti (GK); Basta, Mauricio, Hoedt, Radu; Cataldi, Mandziuk; Candreva, Mauri, Lulic; Keita.

Head-to-Head

In the previous five meetings between these teams, Napoli hold the advantage with three wins and there was also a draw played out leaving Lazio with one win.

Previous Meeting

Last time these two teams met was at the end of last season in a high-scoring affair that saw Gonzalo Higuain net twice. However, it was not enough as Lazio won 4-2.

Prediction

Although Napoli are yet to win in Serie A, their big win in the Europa League will give them the confidence to go on and snatch this game if their defence holds. Both teams will be affected by the Europa League, meaning match fitness and squad changes are key.

Napoli 2 Lazio 1

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