Prediction: Napoli vs Roma

Prediction: Draw

Best Odds: 5/2

Bookmaker: bet365

Italian football has had a whole lot of catching up to do, and over the course of the last few weeks, they’ve been pumping out the games as they continue to race towards the end of the campaign. There’s still a whole lot left to be decided both at the top and at the bottom of Serie A, with the battle for European places being one of the most intriguing aspects of the entire league. Today, we’ll be taking a look at two clubs who are right at the heart of that as Napoli prepare to host Roma.

Napoli

It was an anxious start to the post-lockdown campaign for Napoli as they drew 1-1 with Inter Milan in the Coppa Italia, but thankfully for them, the draw took them through to the final on aggregate where they were able to beat Juventus on penalties and claim the title.  They followed that up with back to back victories over Verona and Spal in Serie A, but in their last outing, they were put to the sword in a 2-0 defeat to Atalanta.

Team News

There are two main absences for Napoli in the form of Malcuit and Ospina, with both being ruled out of the game through injury. After the loss to Atalanta, Gattuso is expected to mix up the front three for the Roma clash.

Roma

An edgy 2-1 win over Sampdoria served as a positive way to come back from the break for Roma, but they didn’t exactly follow that up with performances that will fill their fans with confidence. They went toe to toe with AC Milan and Udinese in games that many would’ve favoured them in, but instead, they registered consecutive 2-0 defeats to ensure their advantage over Napoli in the Serie A table was reduced to three points.

Team News

Lopez and Zaniolo have both been ruled out for the trip to Naples through injury, whereas Perotti is set to serve a suspension. Pellegrini and Veretout, however, will be free to return from their own suspensions.

Factors to Consider

• In their last meeting back in November, Roma beat Napoli 2-1.
• Napoli have won three, drawn two and lost one of their last six games.
• Roma have won three, drawn one and lost two of their last six games.
• Napoli have scored eight goals and conceded five in their last six games.
• Roma have scored 11 goals and conceded nine in their last six games.

Conclusion

These two sides are both lacking in confidence after a poor few results since the Serie A restart, which is why we’re expecting both to put in quite an anxious display when they meet on Sunday. We think both will get on the scoresheet, perhaps due to set pieces, but it isn’t going to be a fluid game with fouls galore and no real crowd atmosphere. We’re predicting that it’ll end as a 1-1 draw, which isn’t really what either team is going to be looking for in the race for European qualification.

Prediction: Draw

Best Odds: 5/2

Bookmaker: bet365