Serie A leaders Lazio will be chasing a historic first as they travel to Stadio Diego Armando Maradona to take on a Napoli side looking to avoid losing a third consecutive game.
Match News and Current Form
Napoli lost 4-1 at Porto on Wednesday in the UEFA Champions League - their fourth defeat in their last seven games across all competitions (W2, D1). That poor run has contributed to pressure ramping up on Massimiliano Allegri, whose side are six points off Serie A’s European qualification spots after matchday ten, and further ignominy awaits if they cannot stop the rot, as Napoli have not lost five of their first 11 league games in a season since 2000/01. It has been feast or famine for the Partenopei when playing in Naples recently, as they have kept five clean sheets in their last nine Serie A home games, while conceding at least two goals in the other four.
Lazio beat Cagliari 2-1 last weekend to make it six successive league wins, last registering a longer such run in January 2020. The Biancocelesti have stormed to the top of the table thanks to a strong defence, as no side have conceded fewer goals in the division this term than their eight. Gennaro Gattuso’s men have also won all five of their top-flight away games so far this term, while victory here would make Lazio the first team in Serie A history to win their first six games on the road in a season for a third time, having also done so in 2002/03 and 2017/18.
Head-to-Head History
Napoli have lost their last four Serie A home H2Hs - their longest such run against a single opponent.
Hot Stats and Streaks
Napoli have been given a league-low eight yellow cards this season.
Seven of Napoli’s last eight home games produced an odd number of goals.
Lazio are the only side yet to trail a Serie A game at half-time this term (HT: W5, D5).
Just five of Lazio’s last 24 away league games saw both teams score.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Scott McTominay has never scored in five H2Hs, but may fancy his chances here as four of his five club goals this season have come at home in matches where both teams have netted three or more goals. Five of Gustav Isaksen’s last seven strikes for Lazio have served as the second goal of the game, while his two career goals against Napoli both opened the scoring.
Napoli’s Luca Marianucci is suspended, while Mathías Olivera and Giovanni Di Lorenzo missed the match against Porto. Mattia Zaccagni went off injured in Lazio’s last game.
For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.
Betting Analysis
Lazio’s impressive recent record at Napoli makes backing an away win an attractive proposition here.
Author: Sridhar Bhamidi