Prediction: Juventus vs Napoli

Prediction: Match to end in a 2-2 draw

Best Odds: 12/1

Bookmaker: Betfair

Juventus and Napoli will face each other in a massive game in Serie A this weekend. The match is slated to kick off at 7:45pm UK time on Sunday at Juventus Stadium, and it promises to be a hugely entertaining and exciting affair.

Juventus

Juventus are the defending Italian champions and will be favourites to win the Scudetto again this season. The Bianconeri have been the best and strongest team in Italy for the past several years, and although Inter Milan ran them close last season, Antonio Conte’s side simply could not stop the Turin giants from making it nine league titles in a row. Andrea Pirlo is the new manager of the Bianconeri, and the Juventus and Italy legend will be determined to keep the run going.

The Bianconeri kicked off their new campaign with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Sampdoria at Juventus Stadium. Cristiano Ronaldo was among the goalscorers, and the Portugal international forward was on target again last weekend in their 2-2 draw with AS Roma away from home in Rome. The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star actually scored twice, but that was not enough for Pirlo’s side to pick up all three points from the encounter and had to settle for a share of the spoils.

Juventus, though, have arguably the strongest squad in Italy, and they will be keen on returning to winning ways against Napoli at home on Sunday. Although Napoli have a strong team, Juve are superior, and with Ronaldo in red-hot form and showing no signs whatsoever of slowing down at the age of 35, Pirlo will feel quietly confident of getting the job done against the Neapolitans.

Team news

Ronaldo will lead the line for Juventus, and the Portuguese superstar will be keen on adding to his tally

Napoli

Not many will expect Napoli to compete for the Scudetto this season with Juventus and Inter, but the Naples outfit have made a superb start to the season. Gennaro Gattuso’s side got the better of Parma 2-0 away from home in their opening game of the season before hammering Genoa 6-0 at Stadio San Paolo last weekend, with Hirving Lozano scoring twice and Dries Mertens also on the scoresheet.

However, Napoli will head into the match against Juventus amid fears that they could be without a number of players. In fact, there are doubts whether the game will actually go ahead due to coronavirus. As many as 14 players and members of staff tested positive after the match against Genoa, and Napoli medic Vincenzo Mirone has admitted that the team could struggle to have enough players ready for the match against Juventus. The Napoli players will have to be tested at least twice before the match against Juventus, with the second round of testing to be done on Friday.

Team news

Gattuso may have to make a number of changes to his team depending on the results of the coronavirus testing this week.

Key Factors to Consider

• Cristiano Ronaldo has scored thrice this season.
  Napoli have yet to concede a goal this season.
  Juventus beat Napoli 2-1 the last time the two sides met in the league.
  Napoli beat Juventus in the Coppa Italia final last season.
  Juventus beat Napoli 4-3 at home in the league last season.

Conclusion

Juventus and Napoli are in good form at the moment, and it is going to be an even affair, if indeed the game is play. There should be goals, and there is a very good chance that it will be a high-scoring draw.

Prediction: Match to end in a 2-2 draw

Best Odds: 12/1

Bookmaker: Betfair