Prediction: Napoli vs Monza

Verdict: Napoli win & Under 4.5 goals

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Luckster

Turning their attention back to Serie A action on Sunday night, Napoli will welcome Monza to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

Napoli

Starting with the hosts, while Napoli might have suffered a public Serie A nightmare last season, the Azzurri have only continued on a sensational reargue following Antonio Conte’s arrival over the summer. Extending on their Coppa Italia adventure earlier in the week as they stormed their way to a 5-0 romp at home against Palermo, the former Chelsea boss should find the mood in his camp at a red-hot high. Marking their return from September’s International break with a stellar 4-0 victory away at Cagliari, the Italian heavyweights have also collected 10 points from just their previous four Serie A appearances. Looking to book a lucrative Champions League return this season, Conte will be excited by his side’s recent defensive improvements. In fact, Napoli have recorded a clean sheet in all of their three appearances across all competitions since returning from September’s fortnight interval.

Team News

Limping off against Napoli last weekend after suffering a first-half knock, number-one goalkeeper Alex Meret is once again seen as a doubt here. Likewise, yet to make a single appearance across all competitions so far this season, veteran defender Mario Rui remains on the sidelines.

Handed a Coppa Italia rest earlier in the week, summer recruit Romelu Lukaku will be handed a full recall on Sunday night and spearhead Conte’s attack. Making an immediate impact since arriving from Manchester United this month, Scotland international Scott McTominay will start at the heart of Napoli’s midfield.

Monza

As for the visitors, while Monza might have extended on their respective Coppa Italia adventure earlier in the week as they secured a 3-1 win against Serie B outfit Brescia, the Biancorossi are in the midst of a real top-flight struggle. Suffering late heartbreak at home against Bologna last weekend as they slumped to a 2-1 defeat, Alessandro Nesta is still waiting for his squad to put a maiden Serve A victory on the board. Without a single win win from any of their first five top-flight appearances, Monza should also be concerned by their most recent showdown against Sunday’s hosts. Slumping to an action-packed 4-2 loss when they welcomed Napoli to the Stadio Brianteo back on April 7th, it won’t be a surprise that Nesta’s downbeat squad are pencilled in as a landslide underdog this weekend.

Team News

Dealing with what has become a stacked injury list at the Stadio Brianteo, Monza will once again be without the likes of Samuele Birindelli, Patrick Ciurria, Alessio Cragno and former Inter Milan midfielder Roberto Galiardini on Sunday night. Arriving from Manchester United this summer, Omari Forson will be hoping to get more minutes under his belt.

Finding the net in two of his previous four Serie A appearances on either side of September’s international break, veteran striker Milan Djuric will play a leading role in the final third. Former Arsenal star Pablo Mari will partner Andrea Carboni at the heart of Nesta’s defence.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Napoli and Monza last met back on April 7th, Sunday’s hosts collected an action-packed 4-2 win at the Stadio Brianteo.
• Napoli have collected 10 points from their previous four Serie A appearances.
• Likewise, the Azzurri have not conceded a single goal since returning from September’s international break.
• Monza have failed to muster a single victory from any of their first five Serie A appearances.
• Continuing on from last season, Monza have failed to register a single victory on their travels since the start of March.

Conclusion

Enjoying what has been a stellar Serie A purple patch, Napoli will certainly be smelling another golden opportunity this weekend. Mustering 10 points from their previous four top-flight appearances, Conte’s men are rightfully pencilled in as a standout contender on Sunday night. Landing an action-packed 4-2 win when they travelled to the Stadio Brianteo back on April 7th, we are expecting a similar home victory in Naples.

Verdict: Napoli win & Under 4.5 goals

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Luckster