Serie A | Gameweek 25

Feb 15, 2025 at 5pm UK

Stadio Olimpico

Lazio vs Napoli

Match preview

Lazio maintained their prized top-four position in Serie A last weekend, making short work of rock-bottom Monza as Pedro scored twice and top scorer Taty Castellanos found the net in a comprehensive 5-1 home win.

Castellanos had also found the net when his side claimed maximum points at Cagliari a few days earlier, and the two victories kept them just above Juventus for the final guaranteed Champions League spot.

While the Biancocelesti have cruised through the first phase of the Europa League and will be in contention to lift the trophy later this season, they remain in the hunt for a place at Europe's top table, with the likes of Fiorentina, AC Milan and Bologna hot on their heels.

As such, they cannot afford to drop any more points at the Stadio Olimpico, having won just one of their last five home games in the top flight - against Serie B outfit Monza.

Marco Baroni's men now face an opponent they beat twice in as many days in December, winning the Coppa Italia 3-1 before Gustav Isaksen's late winner in Naples.

Should they repeat the feat this weekend, it would be the first time in 30 years that Lazio have beaten Napoli three times in the same season.

As well as that cup exit at the Stadio Olimpico, Napoli have failed to win any of the last four league meetings between the southern rivals, having won all four of the previous encounters.

However, they have an impressive record against Lazio in Rome, having won eight of the last 11 encounters between the clubs in the capital.

This time around, Antonio Conte's men will be looking to end a rare wait for success after consecutive draws at the start of February saw Inter's lead reduced to just one point with 14 games remaining.

After a run of seven league victories, Napoli were first denied by a last-gasp Roma goal on their last visit to the Olimpico and then lost at home to mid-table Udinese: Scott McTominay opened the scoring, but the Bianconeri hit back immediately and eventually held on for a 1-1 draw.

The 55 points are 10 shy of Napoli's tally at this stage of their last Scudetto campaign two years ago, but it is still the Campania side's fourth-best tally of all time after 24 games.

In line with events at his previous clubs, Conte has muttered darkly about a lack of mid-season signings, but his side are still on course to deny Inter a successive league title - and they can move four points clear by beating Lazio.

Recent Performance

Lazio Serie A form:LDWLWW

Lazio form (all competitions):WWLLWW

Napoli Serie A form:WWWWDD

Team News

Lazio lost striker Boulaye Dia to a sprained ankle against Monza, but if he does not return to action, Pedro and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru will be available.

Matias Vecino, Patric and ex-Napoli full-back Elseid Hysaj will miss out, but Marco Baroni can call on new signings Arijon Ibrahimovic, Reda Belahyane and Oliver Provstgaard, all of whom were unused substitutes last weekend.

Supporting Taty Castellanos up front will be captain Mattia Zaccagni, who has scored twice and provided an assist in his last three home games against Saturday's opponents.

Having lost Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to Paris Saint-Germain midway through the season, his replacement David Neres suffered a muscle injury during Napoli's draw with Udinese and is out until March, forcing Antonio Conte to consider a number of options.

Leonardo Spinazzola has deputised on the wing before but is currently unavailable, while loanee Noah Okafor, who has missed most of the season, is available up front and Italy international Giacomo Raspadori could make his first Serie A start since August.

At the back, Alessandro Buongiorno is ready to complete his return from long-term injury with a start, allowing Juan Jesus to move to the left, while captain and right-back Giovanni Di Lorenzo is set to make his 200th league appearance for the Partenopei.

Of all current Serie A players, striker Giovanni Simeone has scored the most goals against Lazio, the former club of his father - eight, including four in one match. However, he has scored just twice since the start of last season, leaving Romelu Lukaku as the undisputed first choice.

Possible starting lineup

Lazio possible starting lineup:

Provedel; Marusic, Gila, Romagnoli, Tavares; Guendouzi, Rovella; Isaksen, Pedro, Zaccagni; Castellanos

Napoli possible starting lineup:

Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Buongiorno, Jesus; Anguissa, Lobotka, McTominay; Politano, Lukaku, Raspadori