There is every chance that these two sides will prove to be the only serious title contenders alongside Juventus, meaning the clash at San Paolo could have a significant effect on Serie A title race.

Both Napoli and Lazio ended their three-match winning runs at the weekend and will now be eager to return to winning ways.

For the third season running, the Azzurri are expected to enter the Serie A title race and this is a testament to the excellent work the club officials have been doing over the last few years.

Napoli missed out on Champions League qualification last term and in turn stayed without Ezequiel Lavezzi, but with Goran Pandev and Lorenzo Insigne doing well to replace La Bestia, the team have come back even stronger this term.

Walter Mazzarri’s side were unlucky to lose the Italian Super Cup match to Juventus, but that did not stop them from recording four straight wins in all competitions, the run that ended with a goalless draw away to Catania.

The team are now brimming with confidence following the impressive start to the season and Ladbrokes has them at 1.95 (19/20) to record the fifth successive victory.

Having scored no less than 9 goals in 3 home games this season, the Azzurri are 2.00 (1/1) with Stan James to score 2 goals or more.

Miguel Britos is the only unavailable player at the moment, while Goran Pandev will once again be preferred to young star Lorenzo Insigne.

Probable starting line-up (3-4-2-1): De Sanctis – Campagnaro, Cannavaro, Aronica – Maggio, Behrami, Inler, Zuniga – Hamsik, Pandev – Cavani.

Lazio, too, narrowly missed out on the final Champions League berth last season, which only made them more determined to make things right this term.

The squad remained virtually the same in off-season, but Bosnian coach Vladimir Petkovic was brought to replace Edy Reja.

Many were skeptical about the new boss, but he quickly proved he has what it takes to manage at such a high level.

Lazio went on to record five straight victories at the start of the season, winning three league games and another two in Europa League qualifying stages, before sharing spoils with Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

That, however, doesn’t mean the Biancocelesti go into this game high on confidence, given they were beaten by Genoa at the weekend. As a result, they are 4.30 (33/10) with BetVictor to win at San Paolo.

Abdoulay Konko and Hernanes are rated doubtful, while Christian Brocchi, Stefan Radu and Modibo Diakite are out injured.

Probable starting line-up (4-1-4-1): Marchetti – Cavanda, Dias, Biava, Lulic – Ledesma – Candreva, Gonzalez, Hernanes, Mauri – Klose.