Lazio have made a stunning start to the Serie A season. Their surprise title challenge takes them to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona for a fixture against Napoli on Sunday.

Injury-Ravaged Napoli Reeling From Heavy Defeat in Europe

It was a miserable midweek for Napoli, who were beaten 4-1 by Porto in the Champions League. Scott McTominay’s third goal in three European appearances was a mere consolation.

Despite that setback, major changes are not expected on Sunday. Massimiliano Allegri may consider bringing Noa Lang into the side, but Rasmus Højlund should lead the line again. Kevin De Bruyne, who is averaging a goal every 135 minutes in Serie A, is likely to operate just behind the striker.

The hosts could be without nine players due to injury. Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Mathías Olivera, Leonardo Spinazzola, Alessandro Buongiorno, Benoît Badiashile, Stanislav Lobotka, David Neres, Alisson Santos and Costantino Favasuli may all miss out. Meanwhile, defender Luca Marianucci is suspended.

Napoli predicted lineup vs Lazio (3-5-1-1): Meret; Beukema, Rrahmani, Marín; Politano, Anguissa, Gilmour, McTominay, Lang; De Bruyne; Højlund.

Leaders Lazio Hit by Zaccagni Blow

Key man Mattia Zaccagni is sidelined for Lazio after picking up a knock in the 2-1 win over Cagliari last weekend. Albert Guðmundsson is also out for the visitors, who have additional doubts over Nicolò Rovella and Adam Marušić.

The Biancocelesti are top of Serie A thanks to an outstanding team effort, but a few players have stood out. Tijjani Noslin has been one of their star performers, with four goals and three assists in nine league outings.

Zaccagni’s injury could mean Andrea Pinamonti, who has netted in two of his past four substitute appearances, comes in to lead the line. That’s likely to see Noslin move to the left flank, where he’ll be hoping to cause problems for Napoli wing-back Matteo Politano.

Lazio predicted lineup vs Napoli (4-3-3): Mandas; Mussolini, Šutalo, Provstgaard, Tavares; Frattesi, Belahyane, Taylor; Isaksen, Pinamonti, Noslin.

Napoli vs Lazio Prediction

  • Safe Tip: Lazio to score over 0.5 goals
  • Odds: 1.31 (22Bet)
  • Correct score prediction: Napoli 1-2 Lazio
  • 22Bet Booking Code: GR1YV

Key stats:

  • Lazio have won on their past four visits to Naples.
  • The visitors boast a 100% away record in Serie A this season.
  • Napoli have let in 13 goals across their last five matches in all competitions.

Napoli’s injury problems are having a negative impact. They’ve lost four of their past seven fixtures across all competitions. Meanwhile, Massimiliano Allegri’s side have conceded 1.3 goals per game on average in Serie A this term.

The main concern when backing Lazio is the absence of their key attacker Zaccagni, who has registered five assists in the league. However, they are averaging 2.8 goals per 90 minutes on the road and still have enough firepower to trouble a shaky home defence. Backing the Biancocelesti to score over 0.5 goals is a safe pick at 1.31.

Napoli vs Lazio Prediction, Value Tip

  • Value Tip: Gustav Isaksen to score a goal at any time
  • Odds: 3.9 (22Bet)
  • 22Bet Booking Code: A63YV

Gustav Isaksen is one of the players expected to step up in Zaccagni’s absence. The Danish winger has scored in four of his past five matches.

The 25-year-old is getting into plenty of dangerous positions and is averaging 1.9 shots per game in Serie A. He offers value to score anytime at 3.9.

Verdict: Lazio to score over 0.5 goals (1.31) — Napoli 1-2 Lazio.