Serie A: Can Lazio Spoil Napoli’s Perfect Start?

Napoli vs Lazio

There are some cracking games in the Italian top-flight this weekend with Roma hosting AC Milan, and down in Naples, the reigning champions are taking on Lazio.

With two wins from their opening two matches, NapoIi sit second in the early Serie A table, while Lazio have had a trickier start and are currently pointless.

Winning the Scudetto was the sporting event of the century on the Azzurri coast, and Napoli fans continued their celebrations long into the summer.

And now they are getting more of the same.

Lazio were hopeful of making an impact on a congested title race, but their two defeats have turned the Serie A 2023 betting odds away from the blue half of Rome and a third defeat would represent a seriously bad start.

With apologies to Lazio fans, I think that defeat is on the way, though.

Talking Points

Smooth transition for Garcia 

New head coach Rudi Garcia has carried on where Luciano Spalletti left off after the Scudetto-winning manager decided to take a year away from the game.

After a bright start beating Frosinone and Sassuolo, scoring five goals and conceding none, the Partenopei are second favourites to win the 2024 title at SBOTOP odds of 3.75 and behind only Inter Milan.

Former Roma boss Garcia has the benefit of top scorer Victor Osimhen staying in Naples and also Polish midfield ace Piotr Zielinski is still at the club after turning down offers from the Saudi Pro League.

I Partenopei have also strengthened, bringing in highly rated midfielder Jesper Lindstrom from Eintracht Frankfurt for €30 million, and Giacomo Raspadori has made his loan from Sassuolo a permanent move for €26 million.

And Napoli’s dealing isn’t yet over. According to reports in the Italian media, the 2023 champions are closing in on a deal to bring Fiorentina’s defencive midfielder Sofyan Amrabat to the Stadio Diego Maradona.

The Morocco star was rumoured to be on his way to Manchester United, but the Red Devils failed to meet La Viola’s asking price and, with Liverpool and Barcelona seemingly drifting out of the picture, Napoli are at the front of the queue.       

Lazio yet to replace the Sergeant

Now at 31.00 to win the 2023/24 Scudetto, Lazio are joint sixth favourites alongside Atalanta, and that’s a position head coach Maurizio Sarri will be keen to improve on.

An opener away to Lecce was a good chance to get off on the right foot but, despite Ciro Immobile scoring an early goal, Sarri’s team succumbed to two late goals. And they followed that up with a 1-0 defeat at home to Genoa.

The loss of Sergej Milinkovic-Savic to Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League was a big, if expected, blow in the summer and the club would dearly love to have the likes of Zielinski or Amrabat in their lineup.

But they do seem to be getting closer to a midfield recruit with Marseille star Matteo Guendouzi expected to arrive in Rome on Wednesday to complete a medical. The two clubs have reached an agreement for Lazio to pay an initial loan agreement of €1 million with an obligation to buy at €12 million.  

The former Arsenal star is now 24 years of age and, with seven France caps to his name, he is clearly a big talent. Guendouzi is yet to fulfil his undoubted potential, and if he fits in well at the Stadio Olimpico, this could be his time.

It will be very difficult to replace Milinkovic-Savic with one player unless Lazio can shell out a huge amount of cash. But if Sarri buys potential and clear ability, then he can reform his midfield.

But he does need his Serie A 2023 results to pick up sooner rather than later.    

History

Napoli have won 24 of their 50 encounters with Lazio over the past three decades, while the Romans have won 17 and there have been nine draws.

Both meetings last season ended in an away win. Napoli won 2-1 at the Stadio Olimpico, while Lazio took a 1-0 victory away from Naples in March as Matias Vecino gave Sarri a win over his former club.   

In terms of recent form, the hosts have a huge advantage. Napoli have won their last four games, while Lazio have lost their last four.

In fact, Napoli are unbeaten in 11 games and unbeaten in 11 at home.  

Betting Tip

At 1.57 to win, the hosts are hot favourites to win this game and, with the draw at 3.59 and Lazio at 4.74, it seems highly likely that Garcia will get his third victory.

The Romans are still in transition while Napoli have started this campaign as they ended the last, and I’m expecting Naples to be bouncing again on Saturday.    

 

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