Prediction: Napoli vs Juventus

Verdict: Over 2,5 goals scored – yes

Best Odds: 13/20

Bookmaker: 888sport

Juventus have not looked as impressive as they have in past seasons, but they still sit at the top of the Serie A standings entering this week. Napoli have been one of the biggest disappointing teams in the Serie A so far, but they feature abundant quality on both ends of the pitch even if they have failed to perform as expected. These two Serie A giants will meet Sunday at 19:45 GMT.

Napoli

Napoli were one of the biggest title candidates entering the 2019-20 Serie A season, but they have been extremely disappointing so far. Aside from sacking Carlo Ancelotti early into the season, the Partenopei side currently sit in 12th place of the standings with 24 points out of 20 games entering the weekend’s slate of games. They have lost eight of those contests and, in fact, Napoli have lost three straight games and four of their last five. Grabbing a UEFA Europa League berth would already represent a huge success for them considering how the season has happened, and it’s fair to say they should be listed as massive underdogs here. They have a balanced record when it comes to goals scored and conceded (28/28) but there are no double lectures here. Napoli have been disappointing and nothing they can do until the end of the season will change that.

Team News

Kevin Malcuit is out for the season with an ACL injury. Dries Mertens has also been ruled out due to a groin problem.

Faouzi Ghoulam (thigh) and Kalidou Koulibaly (leg) are both questionable. This means Napoli could be shorthanded defensively in this match.

Juventus

Juventus have been the most successful team in the Serie A over the last decade, and they have begun the calendar year playing at a very high level. The Old Lady once again sit at the top of the standings in the Serie A with 51 points out of 20 matches, and their results have been impressive across the board. Maurizio Sarri’s men have lost just once all season long (W16, D3, L1) and while they do not own the league’s best attack, they have conceded just 19 goals – under 1.0 goal per game on average – and that marks down as the league’s third-best defensive record. Juventus have also won each of their last five Serie A matches, and they couldn’t have asked for better form entering this contest with eight wins out of their last nine games in all competitions. Can they take another step towards a new title with a win here at Stadio San Paolo?

Team News

Juventus will be depleted defensively since Giorgio Chiellini, Merih Demiral and Sami Khedira have all been ruled out for this game. All three players have been diagnosed with knee injuries.

Danilo (thigh) and Mattia De Sciglio (groin) have been listed as questionable as well. The Old Lady could have several defenders ruled out as a result.

Key Factors to Consider

• Juventus have a clear edge over Napoli in the recent H2H meetings. The Old Lady have won four of the past five meetings against the Partenopei side.
• The last three meetings between both sides have ended with three or more goals scored. All three have also featured both sides scoring.
• Juventus enter this match in an impressive run of five straight Serie A wins. In fact, they have won eight of their last nine matches in all competitions.
• Napoli find themselves on the opposite end of the spectrum. They have lost three of their last five matches in all competitions.
• Juventus have found the back of the net in 17 straight Serie A matches.

Conclusion

The last three league meetings between these two sides have ended with over 2.5 goals scored. That trend should continue here, as both clubs enter this game with lots of absences on defence.

Expect this contest to feature at least three goals in total.

Verdict: Over 2,5 goals scored – yes

Best Odds: 13/20

Bookmaker: 888sport