Napoli are hungry to make a comeback to UEFA Champions League and will be looking to capture the three points from the game, and bring an end to Lazio’s supremacy at the crucial third spot in Serie A standings.
The Biancocelesti will be looking to put an end to their avalanche slip in form, after three defeats in the last four games in the midst of tough challenge from teams like Napoli, AS http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Inter-c39567 Milan also in the chase.
Lazio (3) will host http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Napoli-c40003 (4) in matchday 31 encounter of the 2011/12 Serie A on Saturday, April 7th at 19:00 GMT.
The Biancazzurri come into the game on the back of some alarming results in the form of defeats against Parma, Catania and Bologna out of the last four league games. The Azzurri’s last match saw them humiliated by Juventus with the score line at 3-0.
The last meeting of the two teams in Serie A, ended in a 0-0 stalemate.
Lazio
The Biancocelesti have been in a pristine touch at home, and have won five of their last six games at Stadio Olimpico. However, their form against the Partenopei does not spell the same impression, as they have won only one of their last five games against
the visitors.
Although they are the current holders of the crucial third-spot, a defeat in the match can see that change quickly for the Biancazzurri.
Making the situation worse for them is the fact that matters do not seem to be going well between team manager Edy Reja and the ownership. Reports in the media suggest that Lazio are already considering Gianfranco Zola as a possible replacement for the manager,
who has previously threatened to resign from the post himself. Moreover, their best striker Miroslav Klose is also out injured, and will not be returning before the end of the season.
Yet all is not dark for Lazio in the presence of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Tommaso-Rocchi-c35374, who has already scored three goals against the Azzurri, and will be looking to get his 100th Serie A goal in the clash against Napoli.
Napoli
Lazio’s history against the Partenopei may be less than impressive but when you look at the Azzurri’s stats against the hosts, a more dismal picture comes into view. Napoli have a history of appalling form at the Olimpico against the capital club. Disappointingly,
they have won just two matches against Lazio in the arena over the past 20 years.
The team has shown a special charisma to it, and are highly motivated to bring down Lazio in their coveted quest to play the next year’s edition of the Champions League. Their best hopes of victory will be shouldered by Edison Cavani, who has scored four
goals against the Biancocelesti including a phenomenal hat-trick. They lead the head to head count over the rivals which stand at 38 wins for the visitors, as compared to 34 defeats against Lazio.
Team News
Lazio
Edy Reja is in the midst of an injury crisis for his team. Many of their top shots like Miroslav Klose, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Senad-Lulic-c32887 will be unavailable for selection in the crunch tie
against the Partenopei.
Consequently, a number of changes are expected in the usual line-up for the team, and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lionel-Scaloni-c22300 are expected to make an appearance in the starting line-up for the game.
Expected Starting Line-up: Marchetti, Scaloni, Biava, Diakite, Konko, Ledesma, Cana, Gonzalez, Hernanes, Mauri, Rocchi.
Napoli
Walter Mazzarri will be missing the services of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Walter-Gargano-c36598 will also be out of the game serving suspension. Therefore the Azzurri tactician is expected to switch the system to 4-3-1-2,
rather than the usual 3-4-3.
Expected Starting Line-up: De Sanctis, C'pagnaro, Cannavaro, Britos, Aronica, Dzemaili, Inler, Hamsik, Pandev, Lavezzi, Cavani.
Players to Watch:
Tommaso Rocchi (http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lazio-c39775)
Although the veteran is ageing but his legs still have a lot of magic left in them. In the absence of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Miroslav-Klose-c26049, he will be shouldering the responsibility at the front of the opposition’s goal. The aggressor has scored 105 goals for Lazio, and on Saturday
will be looking for the 100th Serie A goal of his career.
Edison Cavani (Napoli)
The amazing striker has been the spearhead of the team, and also the leading scorer of the Azzurri outfit. The aggressor has also shown a special inclination to score against Lazio, and already has a hat-trick against the Aquile under his name.
Predictions
Both the sides are caught in their own whirlpool of defeats and draws. There is also the fact that both the teams have shown a temperamental form in the league where wins have quickly been followed by defeats for each team. Although the Napoli will edge
Lazio to be the favourites in the game, the result of the match will be highly dependent on which team gets its act together in the game.
Prediction 2-1 to Napoli.
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