In a highly anticipated clash, Lazio and Napoli are set to meet at the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday for the Coppa Italia Round of 16. This encounter marks the first of a two-part series, with the teams also scheduled to face off in Serie A action just days later.
Lazio enter this match following a mixed run of form. After a strong start to their season, including a seven-match winning streak across all competitions, Marco Baroni’s side has recently stumbled. They experienced a goalless draw against Ludogorets in the Europa League, followed by a 3-1 defeat to Parma in Serie A. Despite these setbacks, Lazio remain competitive in both domestic and European competitions. They are currently fifth in Serie A, trailing league leaders Napoli by four points.
Napoli, under the guidance of Antonio Conte, have shown resilience this season. After navigating through two earlier rounds of the Coppa Italia, including a penalty shootout win over Modena and a commanding 5-0 victory against Palermo, they have regained their form in Serie A. Their recent 1-0 win over Torino solidified their position at the top of the league table.
Team News
Lazio face several injury concerns ahead of the match. Key players such as Nuno Tavares, Boulaye Dia, and Matias Vecino are sidelined, with Gaetano Castrovilli also recovering from knee surgery. Despite these challenges, Baroni is expected to rotate his squad, with Pedro, Samuel Gigot, and goalkeeper Christos Mandas likely to feature.
Napoli’s squad is relatively healthy, with Pasquale Mazzocchi being the only significant absentee due to injury. Conte has hinted at rotating his lineup to keep players fresh for Sunday’s league encounter. This could see stars like Romelu Lukaku and Scott McTominay rested in favor of Giacomo Raspadori and David Neres.
Expected Starting XIs
Lazio: Mandas; Marusic, Gigot, Romagnoli, Pellegrini; Guendouzi, Rovella; Tchaouna, Pedro, Zaccagni; Castellanos
Napoli: Caprile; Di Lorenzo, Marin, Buongiorno, Spinazzola; Folorunsho, Gilmour; Neres, Raspadori, Ngonge; Simeone
Match Prediction
This matchup promises to be a tightly contested affair. Lazio’s recent form may give them an edge at home, but Napoli’s defensive solidity cannot be overlooked. Both teams are expected to approach the game with strategic caution given their upcoming league fixture. While Lazio has historically performed well against Napoli in cup competitions, Napoli’s current momentum could see them edge out a narrow victory.
Prediction: Lazio 2-1 Napoli
