Friday, April 6, 2012

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07.04. (Sat) 21:00 Lazio vs SSC Napoli

Ezequiel Lavezzi (N), Senad Lulic (L) - Napoli-Lazio - Serie A (Getty Images)
Getty Images

PROBABLE LINEUPS
LAZIO

Marchetti
Scaloni, Biava, Diakite, Konko
Ledesma, Cana
Gonzalez, Hernanes, Mauri
Rocchi
NAPOLI

De Sanctis
C'pagnaro, Cannavaro, Britos, Aronica
Dzemaili, Inler, Hamsik
Pandev
Lavezzi, Cavani

A surprise 3-1 reverse to Parma last weekend saw Lazio suffer a third defeat in four Serie A matches, but despite their recent poor form, they still lead the way in race for the last Champions League spot.

However, Edy Reja's job isn't made any easier with the news that first-teamers Cristian Brocchi, Andre Dias, Miroslav Klose, Marius Stankevicius, Matuzalem, Stefan Radu and Senad Lulic will all miss out on the game against Napoli.

As a result, a number of changes are on the horizon for the Romans as Mobido Diakite, Lionel Scaloni, Hernanes and Lorik Cana are likely to deputise for the absentees.

For Napoli, coach Walter Mazzarri will be without injured trio Andrea Dossena, Marco Donadel and Christian Maggio, while Juan Zuniga and Walter Gargano are suspended. As a result, the 50-year-old is being tipped to switch to a 4-3-1-2 formation from his tried-and-trusted 3-5-2.

Miguel Britos, Blerim Dzemaili and Goran Pandev are the players set to be flung into contention, with Hamsik dropping into midfield from his usual attacking role behind the strikers.


DID YOU KNOW

  • Lazio have won just one of their last five meetings with Napoli - a 2-0 victory in November 2010.
  • The Biancocelesti have been victorious in five of their last six games on home soil.
  • Tommaso Rocchi has already scored three goals against the Partenopei and could net his 100th Serie A strike on Saturday.
  • Over the last 20 years, Napoli have won just twice at the Olimpico against Lazio.
  • Edinson Cavani has scored four goals versus the Biancocelesti, including one of his three Serie A hat-tricks.
  • Napoli lead in the head-to-head by 38 wins to 34 against Lazio.
Prediction
Both sides are leaking goals at an alarming rate, so an outright winner is too tough to call. However, Napoli's goalscoring potency means they will always have a chance, despite their woeful away form, in stark contrast to Lazio's strong performances on home soil. A high-scoring draw therefore looks to be on the horizon.
Editor's Prediction
Lazio 2-2 Napoli