Much of Serie A's business has already been decided prior to this weekend's final round of fixtures but one thing that remains outstanding is third place and with it the third Italian club to play in next year's Champions League.
Lazio currently hold third spot, three points clear of Napoli but as fate would have it the two sides meet at Napoli's Stadio San Paolo on Sunday evening. A win for Rafa Benitez's side, in the Spaniard's last game in charge, would see them pip Lazio on the head to head ruling and achieve qualification for the Playoff Round of the 2015/16 Champions League. A draw or a win for Lazio would see Stefano Pioli’s side take that playoff spot instead.
Napoli come into this game on the back of a 3-1 defeat away to champions Juventus but the big story will be whether Benitez’s departure has any effect on the players in a game that will play a huge part on the club’s future. It will no doubt be easier to attract a replacement for Benitez if the club are in the Champions League next season but one would question whether it was a good idea to announce his departure prior to such a big game.
Napoli Stars
Napoli have a good home record with just one defeat in their last sixteen home matches although that defeat came against Lazio in the semi-final of the Coppa Italia. Much of Napoli’s success has been down to the goalscoring of Argentine striker, Gonzalo Higuain. The Argentine has 26 goals for Napoli in all competitons and he has received good support in attack from Jose Callejon, Manolo Gabbiadini and Marek Hamsik. Napoli’s biggest weakness this season has been their defence and they have conceded 50 goals in Serie A which is more than any other side in the top half of the standings.
Lazio have enjoyed a good first season under Pioli and they will be looking to finish on a high by securing Champions League qualification for the first time since the 2007/08 season. Pioli's side have been in good form away from home, losing just once in their last eight games. That defeat came to Juventus who also beat Lazio in the final of the Coppa Italia last Wednesday.
Lazio Stars
Lazio's star player this season has been their young Brazilian winger, Felipe Anderson. Anderson has ten goals and seven assists in Serie A so far and although he is yet to be capped for Brazil it is surely only a matter of time before he becomes a regular in the Selecao. There have also made good performances from Stefan de Vrij, Marco Parolo and Antonio Candreva as Lazio enjoyed one of their best seasons in recent years.
Teams News
Napoli will be without Miguel Britos who is suspended which will mean Raul Albiol and Kalidou Koulibaly will play in the middle of the defence for Benitez's side. Pioli has a few more problems than his counterpart and looks likely to be without Stefan Radu, Lucas Biglia and Lorik Cana for the trip to Naples which should see Santiago Gentiletti and Danilo Cataldi start the game.
Napoli and Lazio have played three times this season and the meetings have always been tight. Both have had a 1-0 win away from home and the other meeting ended 1-1 and it looks likely that this game will be close especially with so much at stake. Benitez would no doubt love to leave Napoli on a high with a place in next year's Champions League but Pioli and his Lazio side will be hoping to spoil his send off and qualification for next year's final Champions League place remains in the balance.