Serie A: S.S.C. Napoli vs. S.S. Lazio – Preview
S.S.C Napoli eyeing the Serie A title
SSC Napoli have been through a lot of turmoil recently and have seen the toughest times in Italian football. From being a top outfit to have been relegated down to Serie C1, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Napoli-c40003 made their way back to the top flight in 2007. Since their return, the Azzurri
have been looking for the lost glory and finally returned to the top six last season, and as a result, earning the Europa League spot.
The ongoing 2010/11 term has been an outstanding show by the team from Naples and they have managed to set their foundations back into the top runners of the Serie A. The Partenopei are currently 3rd in the league with 59 points, with the Scudetto
well within their range. The Blues are a solitary point behind http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Inter-c39567 Milan, while just 3 points behind the current league leaders AC Milan.
Napoli have been performing consistently on both home and away venues. The Blues have just lost 2 games out of the 15 they have played at home turf, winning 10 and producing 3 draws. The Partenopei have not lost in their last 11 home games; won-9, draw-2.
The Naples based team are the hosts for the upcoming fixture against Lazio at the Stadio San Paolo. It will be a tough contest as both teams have been in outstanding form lately. Napoli, chasing the Scudetto, will be looking forward to secure nothing less
than a victory.
S.S. Lazio hunting for a Champions League spot
SS Lazio produced disappointing results in the 2009/10 season and were seen lurking at the bottom of the table, eventually finishing 12th with 46 points. The below average result frustrated the fans and sparked protests against the outfit.
The 2010/11 campaign, however, has been a great development for the Eagles. As things stand, Lazio are 5th in the league with 54 points, 2 points adrift of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Udinese-Calcio-c40789 who occupy the last UEFA Champions League spot. The Biancazzurri made a
great start to the season where they lost just 2 games in the first 10 fixtures, winning 7 and holding AC Milan to a 1-1 draw in the one remaining encounter.
Despite being a part of the top six teams in the top tier and ranked the best at home ground, Lazio have been disappointing at away venues. Out of the 14 away games, the Eagles have managed 5 wins, 6 defeats and 3 stalemates. Despite the overall poor run,
the last 5 away game statistics show that Lazio have been unbeaten in the last 5 matches, winning 4 times and drawing once.
Approaching the upcoming match at Naples, the White and Blues are looking strong to put up a good show and keep the hosts on the back foot. Both the teams are capable of doing wonders and it will be tough for either one to steal the maximum three points.
Team News
S.S.C. Napoli
The home team would be missing out on http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gianluca-Grava-c14824, as the aforementioned players are suffering from injuries.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ezequiel-Lavezzi-c13073 (6 goals, 11 assists) would be the key players for the home team in the match.
S.S. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lazio-c39775
The Eagles will have to make it without the services of Cristian Ledesma, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Pasquale-Foggia-c29209 is unlikely to play.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Sergio-Floccari-c33061 are expected to return to the team and appear at San Paolo for the White and Blues.
Anderson http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Stefano-Mauri-c34055 (4 goals, 8 assists) would be the key attacking duo for Lazio.
Prediction
Napoli would be having the advantage of the home turf and this would give them the extra confidence needed to steal a victory. The match is expected to end at 3-2 with Cavani scoring a late match winning goal for the hosts.
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