Napoli and Lazio, who both lost in the Europa League this week, will aim to avoid a Serie A hangover on Sunday when they meet at the Stadio San Paolo kickoff at 10:45 pm.
The hosts, knocked out of the Europa League by Porto, have gone unbeaten in six domestic outings. However, their visitors are without a win in four games following a 4-2 defeat to Barcelona.
Lazio exited the Europa League after drawing 2-2 with Porto in Thursday’s playoff round second leg. The result meant that the Roman side lost out 4-3 on aggregate, with elimination coming at the last-16 stage.
Though they suffered Coppa Italia defeat against Milan earlier this month, and were held to a 1-1 draw by Udinese in their league fixture before facing Napoli at Stadio Olimpico on Sunday afternoon, there are plenty of reasons why the Biancocelesti can beat Napoli this weekend.
Despite previously inflicting six straight home defeats against their capital counterparts, Napoli have been less successful at the Olimpico of late and travel to the Eternal City amid a downturn in fortunes.
In 2022, Luciano Spalletti’s side is the most successful side in Serie A, but they’ve drawn their last two league games against Inter and Cagliari, as well as losing to Barcelona at home in midweek.
Lazio vs Napoli Head to Head
Both sides have 34 games against each other, with hosts taking 8 wins while Napoli with 18 wins. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
- Lazio 2-2 FC Porto
- Udinese 1-1 Lazio
- FC Porto 2-1 Lazio
- Lazio 3-0 Bologna
- Milan 4-0 Lazio
Away
- Napoli 2-4 Barcelona
- Cagliari 1-1 Napoli
- Barcelona 1-1 Napoli
- Napoli 1-1 Inter
- Venezia 0-2 Napoli
Lazio Team News
After earning a suspension midweek, leading striker Mattia Zaccagni is back and should again start for Lazio on Sunday. Pedro, however, may only be fit enough to take the bench. Centre-back Francesco Acerbi is on the brink of returning from the ankle injury, which has kept him out for several weeks but may ultimately have to wait until next week. Italy international Manuel Lazzari is ruled out.
Napoli Team News
Meanwhile, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Stanislav Lobotka, Hirving Lozano and Kevin Malcuit are absent through injury. David Ospina should come in for Europa League regular Alex Meret in goal.
Prediction and Odds
The effects of ‘Sarri-ball’ are still being felt in the Serie A—and perhaps nowhere more clearly than in this head-to-head between two of the league’s most attractive sides.
- Draw
- Double Chance
- Both Teams to Score
