Lazio vs Napoli preview - This game decides our destiny - Reja

Lazio coach Edy Reja knows his team needs to emerge triumphant against his former club Napoli if they are to hold on to third place as the season moves towards its conclusion.

The Biancoceleste are third in the standings and hold the last Champions League qualifying spot with eight games remaining.

They lie three points clear of closest rivals Napoli ahead of the game at the Stadio Olimpico.

Reja said: "This game will decide our destiny.

"For them as for us, it will be a final.

"The race for Champions League football is open and we must absolutely pick up the three points against a very good side."

Lazio have suffered a drop in form of late and last weekend's 3-1 defeat at Parma was their third loss in four games.

However, the Biancoceleste will fancy their chances as they have won four of their last five games at home.

Lazio must overcome the absence of defender Andrea Dias, who is out for three weeks with a thigh problem.

Moreover, the team's top scorer Miroslav Klose is still sidelined through injury.

Reja will be hoping to recover defender Stefan Radu and midfielder Francelino Matuzalem, both doubtful for the encounter with minor knocks.

Napoli coach Walter Mazzarri also has his share of injury problems with midfielders Andrea Dossena, Marco Donadel and Christian Maggio ruled out for the trip to Rome with muscular injuries.

Moreover, midfielders Juan Zuniga and Walter Gargano must both serve a one-match ban.

The Naples outfit go into the encounter on the back of last weekend's 3-0 defeat at Juventus that ended the team's nine-match unbeaten run.

"We apologise to our fans for our performance at Juventus," Napoli striker Edinson Cavani said. "I know they expected more from us and we are equally disappointed.

"Now we will look to bounce back immediately."