Napoli continue their Italian Serie A title defence as they travel to Lazio for the first game of the New Year.
The champions are showing some good form lately but need some improvement on their travels, while the hosts have looked solid at home this season.
Lazio were held to a 1-1 draw at Udinese last time out in Serie A after conceding an injury-time equaliser. That was the third draw in the last four Serie A matches for Maurizio Sarri's side.
The capital club are currently eighth in the table and will be eyeing one of the European places. They are unbeaten in eight of their last nine home matches in all competitions, with the last two fixtures on this run ending in draws.
Having recently dropped to third in the table, Napoli are looking to maintain their pursuit of the frontrunners. Antonio Conte's men appear to be building some momentum and have won their last three matches across all competitions.
One issue that persists for Napoli is their poor record on the road, having picked up just three wins in their last 10 away matches in all competitions. However, one of those wins came in their previous fixture as they claimed a 2-0 victory at Cremonese last weekend.
How the bookies view it; Napoli with the edge
Napoli have the edge among the bookies and are priced at 13/8 by Betfred to claim the victory. A win for Lazio is valued at 23/10 by bet365, while Ladbrokes are offering 2/1 for a draw.
Head to head: Napoli on top
Napoli have a 20-13 advantage with 10 draws in the last 43 matches against Lazio. Two of the last three meetings at the Stadio Olimpico have ended in draws, including a 2-2 scoreline in the most recent clash back in February.
Players to watch: Hojlund on fire
Rasmus Hojlund scored a brace at Cremonese to take his tally to six league goals for the season. He will be the one to watch for Napoli (Rasmus Hojlund anytime goalscorer – priced at 11/4 by bet365).
Lazio have spread their goals across the team this season, but Valentin Castellanos is usually the man tasked with leading the line. The striker has two Serie A goals and could be worth keeping an eye on (Valentin Castellanos anytime goalscorer – valued at 11/4 on Paddy Power).
Probable line-ups:
Nicolo Rovella is the only major absentee for Lazio, with the midfielder currently sidelined with injury. Castellanos was a second-half substitute last time out and could return to the starting line-up, while Matteo Guendouzi is set to return after serving a suspension at Udinese.
Kevin De Bruyne remains a long-term injury absentee for Napoli, while Billy Gilmour, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Sam Beukema are also sidelined. Hojlund is expected to lead the line once again, while Scott McTominay should continue in midfield.
Lazio: Provedel, Marusic, Gila, Romagnoli, Pellegrini, Vecino, Guendouzi, Cataldi, Cancellieri, Zaccagni, Castellanos.
Napoli: Milinkovic-Savic, Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Juan Jesus, Politano, Lobotka, McTominay, Spinazzola, Elmas, Neres, Hojlund.
Anything else catch the eye?
Both teams have scored in four of the last five meetings at the Stadio Olimpico (BTTS YES – offered at 21/20 by Ladbrokes). All four fixtures have also produced over 2.5 goals – set at odds of 13/8 on bet365.
There have been goals in both halves in three of the last four meetings at the Stadio Olimpico (Goal in both halves – available at 11/10 on William Hill).
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