Lazio v Napoli: Prediction, Tips and Odds

The Coppa Italia round of 16 has thrown up a blockbuster clash, with two of the top five in a tightly contested Serie A title race going head to head in the Italian capital on Thursday evening.

Napoli, who sit top of the table after 14 games, head to Rome to take on Lazio, who are fifth in the standings but only four points behind their last-16 opponents. 

Both sides have enjoyed excellent starts to the season under new managers and each will see this competition as a real chance of silverware, meaning the pair should put on a thrilling capital clash, with goals certainly on the agenda at the Stadio Olimpico. 

Lazio v Napoli betting tips and predictions

Both teams to score - 10/11

With Antonio Conte in one dugout, many punters may opt to swerve any bet requiring Napoli’s opposition to find the net.

However, despite his obvious ability to create resolute defensive sides, there is reason to believe both teams can score in this fixture. 

Napoli have won four of their last six away games to nil - further highlighting Conte’s exceptional ability to grind out clean sheets.

However, it is worth noting that only one of those victories came against a top-half side - AC Milan, who are seventh in Serie A but a bit off the pace of the top six. 

Conte’s men have been held to draws by top-six sides Juventus and Inter Milan in that run, while they also lost 3-0 at struggling Verona in August, suggesting they are far from bulletproof and an in-form Lazio should have enough to find the net in this clash. 

Thursday’s hosts are unbeaten in 16 home matches, winning 13 times in a run, which further proves they are not without hope of taking this tie.

Marco Baroni’s side have netted 29 league goals this season - only Atalanta and Inter have scored more - hinting that they have the firepower to trouble Napoli. 

Both teams have scored in eight of Lazio’s last 11 home games, as well as in three of the last five meetings between this pair, making the same bet a big runner in Thursday’s heavyweight clash.

Pedro to score or assist - 9/4

With both of these sides in excellent form, neither manager will want to make too many changes in a bid to keep building chemistry and momentum with their league form in mind. 

Conte has never been a manager known for rotation, tending to prefer a settled side where possible, but Baroni has shown more willingness to give fringe players a chance, especially in the Europa League.

One player who has made the most of those minutes in Europe is Pedro, who has netted three goals and provided two assists in the UEFA Europa League this season.

The veteran Spaniard is a player Conte knows well from their title-winning season together at Chelsea and, with Pedro likely to be brought in for this match, the Lazio winger may come back and haunt his former boss on Thursday. 

Pedro is averaging a goal or an assist every 98 minutes this season and he rates a big threat for the hosts. 

Samuel Gigot to be booked - 15/8

While Pedro’s goals and assists ratio will please Baroni, it is unlikely that reserve centre-back Samuel Gigot’s similar average of a yellow card every 99 minutes is having the same effect. 

The French defender has shown a tendency to be rash in his debut season with his new club, something which will come as no surprise to the Marseille fans who saw him pick up seven yellow cards in 21 Ligue 1 matches last term. 

Baroni will look to give at least one of his starting centre-back pairing of Alessio Romagnoli and Mario Gila a rest and, short of other options, Gigot will have to come in for one of those for this tricky last-16 tie. 

Up against a powerful striker in Romelu Lukaku, Gigot could have his work cut out at the Stadio Olimpico and a fourth booking of the campaign may be on the cards for the French centre-back.

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Lazio v Napoli odds

Lazio - 7/5
Draw - 9/4
Napoli - 19/10

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.