Napoli vs Lazio: Preview and Prediction

Napoli vs Lazio
2016/17 Italian Serie A.
Date: Saturday, 05 November 2016
Kick-Off: 19:45 UK,
Venue: Stadio San Paolo (Naples).

After two disappointing results, Napoli will be hoping to rebound with a much needed win as they take on Lazio at the Stadio San Paolo on Saturday evening.

The Partenopei have had a rough couple of matches. First, they lost 2-1 to Juventus, with former striker Gonzalo Higuain dealing them a cruel blow as he netted the game winner. And in European action, they again failed to get back on track. Napoli traveled to Besiktas knowing that a win would relieve some of the pressure that had started to grow after losing the first meeting.

However, were it not for a late goal from skipper Marek Hamsik, they again would have found their campaign in major trouble. Of course, with Besiktas still nipping at their heels, they will have to do much better on matchday five and possibly six in order to secure their spot in the round of 16.

For now, of course, it’s back to domestic affairs. The loss to Juventus has seen them tumble down to fifth spot in a very congested table and they are now seven points behind the Bianconeri. The absence of Arkadiusz Milik has left a huge hole and Manolo Gabbiadini has really failed to make the grade as a replacement for the Polish international. However, Jose Callejon has been quite impressive, with seven goals in 11 appearances and it goes without saying that Maurizio Sarri will hope he can continue in this same vein of form.

Their upcoming opponents Lazio sit both one place and one point ahead coming into this match. Currently under the tutelage of Simone Inzaghi, the Biancocelesti have been quite impressive and have won three and drawn the other two of their past five games. Having failed to secure European football this term, the Aquile are keen on making a return to at least the Europa League next season – but their objective is surely higher than the continent’s second tier competition.

Ciro Immobile has been one of the stand-out players for Inzaghi’s troops this term and is currently only second to Edin Dzeko in the race for the Capocannoniere. With nine goals so far, the Italian international, who won the top scorer prize a few seasons back with Torino, appears to be finally enjoying his football. Will he prove to be the catalyst yet again for Lazio this weekend?

Napoli vs Lazio: Head-to-head statistics

• Napoli have won 10 out of their last 11 games at home and have lost just one out of their last 24 league games at the Stadio San Paolo.
• The Partenopei have scored at least two goals in those 10 out of 11 home matches.
• Lazio have netted at least twice in five out of their last six league matches.
• The Aquile are undefeated in their last six games.
• Napoli have scored at least twice in their past three meetings with Lazio.

Napoli vs Lazio: Prediction

Lazio lost both fixtures last season against Napoli and failed to score in either. This also includes a humiliating 5-0 thrashing at this same ground in September 2015. That also happened to be the first time they had shipped five against the Partenopei since October 1994, when they lost 5-1. They surely will have that heavy loss in mind when they arrive at the Stadio San Paolo this weekend. The Biancocelesti, with 22 goals, are only bettered by Juventus (23) and Roma (26) in terms of output, but they have found it hard to keep clean sheets on the road.

They have gone six games sans a loss, which is among the longest such streaks in the league. This really could play to their benefit. Napoli indeed are a strong side at home, but having put together an impressive run certainly is no easy feat. Lazio will be eager to truly test themselves against a tough opponent and that enthusiasm, coupled with Napoli’s somewhat wobbly form could see them cause problems for the Partenopei. The visitors just may be able to depart with a point, or perhaps more in the bag.