Lazio” data-scaytid=”1″>Lazio and Napoli both insist they are Scudetto contenders, but go head-to-head at the Olimpico tonight with Hernanes facing Edinson Cavani.
Lazio and Napoli both insist they are Scudetto contenders, but go head-to-head at the Olimpico tonight with Hernanes facing Edinson Cavani.
It is third against second in Rome and could potentially re-open the title race. Click here for a match preview.
Lazio must do without Miroslav Klose for two months due to a knee ligament injury, while Cristian Brocchi and Ederson are also sidelined.
Sergio Floccari has been on fine form recently and leads the attack, but more importantly Hernanes returns several weeks earlier than expected.
The Brazilian midfielder was knocked unconscious during the Coppa Italia semi-final with Juventus and had originally been ruled out for a month, but is ready to start with the aid of a protective helmet.
Alejandro Gonzalez also got a nasty knock to the face on international duty, but can start in a return to the 4-1-4-1 system. New signing Louis Saha is on the bench.
Napoli are on stunning form, winning five of their last six games, and hope to take advantage of Lazio’s two consecutive Serie A defeats.
Blerim Dzemaili is suspended, while Christian Maggio is back in the squad after undergoing surgery on a fractured hand, but is only on the bench in favour of Giandomenico Mesto.
Goran Pandev takes on his former club with Cavani and Marek Hamsik, while Hugo Campagnaro is picked ahead of Miguel Angel Britos.
Lazio: Marchetti; Konko, Biava, Dias, Radu; Ledesma; Candreva, Gonzalez, Hernanes, Mauri; Floccari
Lazio bench: Bizzarri, Strakosha, Ciani, Pereirinha, Lulic, Cana, Saha, Rozzi, Kozak
Napoli: De Sanctis; Campagnaro, Cannavaro, Gamberini; Mesto, Behrami, Inler, Hamsik, Zuniga; Pandev, Cavani
Napoli bench: Rosati, Colombo, Grava, Britos, Rolando, Donadel, Maggio, Radosevic, Armero, El Kaddouri, Insigne, Calaiò