Lazio vs Napoli: The Biancocelesti won't lose their ninth successive match at home

Lazio and Napoli dropped out of the Europa League on Thursday. Who will be better prepared for Sunday's encounter in the national championship? Check the team conditions and choose several betting options.

It would be difficult for Lazio to beat Porto. The Portuguese side has hardly missed a Champions League match for many years, having recently beaten Juventus and AC Milan. They had to cope with Lazio. The Biancocelesti took the lead on Thursday but unexpectedly conceded twice (1:2). Cataldi's goal on 90+5 was no longer enough to turn things around. With the scoreline at 2:2 and 3:4, Lazio has only the national championship left to play in this season's fixture.

As it seems, the opportunity to focus on a single front for Maurizio Sarri's team is for the best. Lazio would like to qualify for the next Champions League. That requires either winning the Europa League or finishing in the top four at the end of the championship. While not much more accessible, the second one is certainly more reliable. Furthermore, Lazio is becoming more and more stable for the tournament. They drew Udinese 1:1 away on the previous day to extend their unbeaten streak to five games in Serie A. The Biancocelesti have not lost at home since 20 November. They have won 5 games in a row in the league and 8 in all competitions.

Napoli head coach Luciano Spalletti made a bet at the start of the season. The team was unstoppable in October and November. The Neapolitans suffered a setback as they failed to win the Europa League group, twice losing to Spartak Moscow, and lost their lead in Serie A. It is now the end of February, but Napoli does not appear to be in peak form. A succession of injuries and the Africa Cup, where several of the club's players went at once, are taking their toll.

Although the team's position in the table, with Napoli third and just three points behind the top spot, maybe encouraging. Especially now, it should be easier for the Southerners physically. As for Lazio, the Neapolitans' second front has fallen. On home soil on Thursday, Napoli lost to Barcelona with a score of 2:4. The first meeting in Spain ended 1:1, so Spalletti's side left the tournament. The championship is Napoli's only agenda for the remainder of the season. The team snatched a draw from a tough away trip to Cagliari in the previous round. Victor Osimhen made it 1:1 with just a few minutes to go before the final whistle.

Thursday's Europa League matches are unlikely to impact football quality in the upcoming game positively. Most likely, given the high value of the encounter, the game will turn out to be a close one and, consequently, unproductive. Total Under is very likely here. As for the outcome, the odds seem about even, so you can bet on whoever is given more to win. It's Lazio. In addition, the Biancocelesti haven't lost on their home field in a very long time.

Prediction: Lazio won't lose in a low-scoring game.

• 1X + Total Under 4.5 for 1.75
• Total Under 2.5 for 1.90
• X + Total Under 2.5 for 4.32