Fatigue to play a part in Rome
Two sides with Europa League excursion in midweek battle it out at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday evening.
Lazio have dragged themselves back into European contention in the last month and Maurizio Sarri’s squad will be stretched this week as they compete on two fronts.
Napoli host Barcelona on Thursday after their 1-1 draw in Catalonia last week while Lazio need to overcome a one goal deficit when they welcome Porto to Rome.
The Eagles have been one of the more bonkers teams to follow in Serie A this season, scoring goals at a rapid rate, but seem to be coming out the other side of that as one of the teams to watch as we edge towards the business end of the season.
Process
Napoli have been superb this season in Serie A and rank as the second best side in the division according to expected points.
Luciano Spalletti has made a great impact back in Serie A and progressing in the Europa League and beating Lazio would constitute for one of Gli Azzurri’s more memorable weeks in recent years.
Napoli, due to some niggling injuries, do not have the squad depth they would like at the moment and there may be some tired soldiers in action as a result.
Gli Azzurri are allowing just 0.83 expected goals (xG) against per game in the league this season, which is a sensational defensive process and a huge contributing factor in their push for a first league title since 1989/90.
Fresh off the back of his Africa Cup of Nations triumph with Senegal, Kalidou Koulibaly remains one of the standout defenders in Serie A and will be hoping to marshall an assured display in Rome despite the tight schedule.
Lazio have hugely overperformed in attack this season and are due a regression in their finishing at some stage.
Goals?
I am expecting the workloads and strain on the squads to produce a lower scoring affair in this one, the market has adjusted to a drop-off in goals in Serie A since the turn of the year, but there is still value to be had.
Lazio have scored in seven of ten.
Lazio have conceded in five of ten.
Lazio have seen both teams score in four of ten.
Lazio have seen over 2.5 goals in seven of ten.
Napoli have scored in nine of ten.
Napoli have conceded in seven of ten.
Napoli have seen both teams score in six of ten.
Napoli have seen over 2.5 goals in two of ten.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
Fabian Ruiz's 94th minute winner for Napoli sees us take a half loss, a week of falling on the wrong side of the fine margins. Gamble responsibly.