Overview
After a 0-3 defeat to Atalanta, Napoli promptly returned to a 3-match unbeaten streak in Serie A. However, Napoli's excitement suddenly stopped when they were eliminated in the 16th round of Coppa Italia by Lazio, their opponent in the 15th round of Serie A.
With the two teams set to meet again just three days later, Napoli are clearly keen to get revenge on their opponents. Not only that, a win would also help Napoli compete for the top spot with Atalanta on the rankings.
In the early match of round 15 of Serie A 2024-2025, Atalanta had an important 2-1 victory over AC Milan. They officially rose to the top of the rankings and are 2 points ahead of Napoli.
However, besides the recent defeat against Lazio in the Coppa Italia, Napoli have not known the taste of victory against their opponents in the last 4 meetings. Not to mention, Lazio are also playing impressively this season when they have 28 points after 14 matches, as well as possessing the third best attack in the tournament with 29 goals.
Napoli will have a slight advantage in terms of physical strength, as Lazio will also have to focus on the away trip to Ajax in the Europa League in the middle of next week. However, with high form and quality personnel that is not inferior to Napoli, Lazio is completely confident to win at least 1 point at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
Scott McTominay has been in fine form for Napoli, helping them pick up four points from their last three games. The former Manchester United man scored the only goal to earn Napoli a point against Inter and then netted the winner against Torino.
Human resources situation
Napoli's mainstays will return to the squad after sitting out the midweek game, with Romelu Lukaku, Stanislav Lobotka and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia all expected to be fit for the home side.
On the other side of the front line, Lazio will be without left-back Nuno Tavares and midfielder Matias Vecino. Tijjani Noslin and Christos Mandas are expected to return to the bench, while Ivan Provedel, Matteo Guendouzi and Taty Castellanos start.
Expected lineup:
Lazio: Provedel, Marusic, Gila, Romagnoli, Pellegrini, Guendouzi, Rovella, Isaksen, Pedro, Zaccagni, Castellanos.
Napoli: Meret, Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Buongiorno, Spinazzola, Anguissa, Gilmour, McTominay, Neres, Lukaku, Kvaratskhelia.
The match between Napoli and Lazio takes place at 2:45 a.m. on December 9 (Vietnam time).
