[dukeofdavinci]

Serie A Week 19 - 20/1/08 (14.00 UK)
Napoli-Lazio

Stadio San Paolo

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is a must-win match for Lazio as they face Napoli at the Stadio San Paolo in Week 19. Both teams haven’t won a game in the last three, but the Biancocelesti are falling closer and closer to the relegation zone.

Lazio have had a really poor campaign so far. They have been eliminated from the Champions League and they are struggling in Serie A too. Furthermore, Coach Delio Rossi may be forced to leave if the Romani get beaten in Naples.

In last week’s tie Lazio suffered a 2-1 home defeat against Genoa while Napoli were hammered 5-2 by Milan.

Napoli are currently in 8th place and will be hoping to add to Lazio’s woes this season by inflicting a fourth defeat in five games on them. The Biancocelesti are 15th, four points clear of the drop zone.

Napoli boss Edy Reja cannot count on Uruguayan bomber Marcelo Zalayeta, who has to serve his last week of a ban. Walter Gargano will be out for the same reason. The defensive trio will be formed by Andrea Cupi, Paolo Cannavaro and Maurizio Domizzi.

Manuele Blasi could return in midfield, after missing the San Siro game, alongside Marek Hamsik and Mauricio Bogliacino. In attack Roberto Sosa will be once again preferred to Emanuele Calaiò.

Rossi will have to cope with several absences. Star man Tommaso Rocchi got injured against Genoa and won’t be able to recover for this tie. Gaby Mudingayi, Fabio Firmani, Stephen Makinwa and Mourad Meghni are also on the injury list.

Guglielmo Stendardo will make his return in defence after renewing his contract with the club. Talented youngster Lorenzo De Silvestri will cover the right side. Stefano Mauri will be the Trequartista behind Igli Tare and Goran Pandev.

Keep an eye on: Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli) – ‘El Pocho’ has been outstanding recently and he will be looking to write his name on the scoresheet.

Last season: Not played

Form guide: Napoli (L W D D L) Lazio (L W L D L)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Napoli (probable): Iezzo; Cupi, Cannavaro, Domizzi; Garics, Bogliacino, Blasi, Hamsik, Savini; Lavezzi, Sosa

Lazio (probable): Ballotta; De Silvestri, Cribari, Stendardo, Zauri; Behrami, Ledesma, Mutarelli; Mauri; Pandev, Tare

Ref: To follow...

channel4.com - Football Italia