Prediction: Napoli vs Torino

Verdict: Over 2.5 goals scored – yes

Best Odds: 3/4

Bookmaker: 888sport

Napoli know that the 14-point gap they have with Juventus has practically wrapped up the league title in favour of The Old Lady. However, that doesn’t mean they don’t have nothing to play for. The hosts want to keep a tight grip on the second place of the standings and to achieve that, they need to defeat a rising Torino side at San Paolo Stadium this Sunday. This thrilling Serie A match will kick-off at 19:30 GMT on Sunday.

Napoli

Napoli have been excellent this season since they have lost just three times in the entire Serie A campaign (W16, D4, L3), but that hasn’t been enough to give them the chance to mount a title challenge with Juventus. Carlo Ancelotti’s men are riding a five-game undefeated run in the Serie A (W3, D2) and, if we stretch things further, they have lost just once in their past 10 league outings (W7, D2, L1). To make things even better for them, they’re coming off a huge Europa League win at Zurich (3-1) this past Thursday. Comfortable on both the Serie A and Europa League, things should be smooth for Napoli ahead of this home match against Torino. They might not have enough time to catch Juventus at the top of the standings, but they can tighten their grip on the second place (52 points). And a win here would do wonders for them on their quest to reach that goal. For what is worth, Napoli own an excellent W10, D2 mark at home, and are one of two sides that remain undefeated in their own venue this term – Juventus being the other.

Team News

The Partenopei side could be depleted defensively since two regular starters, Raul Albiol and Mario Rui, won’t play. The Spaniard is dealing with a knee injury, while the Portuguese left-back has a tight problem.

To make things even more complicated, Simone Verdi is questionable due to a knee problem.

Torino

Torino might not be in a position as good as Napoli, but there’s no question they are on the rise as well. The Turin-based side currently sit in eighth place of the standings with 34 points (W8, D10, L5) but only three sides have lost fewer games than Torino during the current 2018/19 season. Plus, they are also riding a three-game undefeated run in the league (W2, D1) and have lost just once in their past five (W2, D2, L1). However, one of the reasons why they’re not higher in the standings lies on their inability to turn draws into wins. In fact, Torino sit in second place of the Serie A when it comes to drawn matches this term (10 out of 23 outings) and the big majority of them have come on the road. Walter Mazzarri’s men have registered nine draws on the road (W2, D9, L1), including four of their last five matches (D4, L1). Could that road form allow them to avoid the loss here against one of the top sides in the competition?

Team News

Torino don’t have any confirmed absentee heading into this game. But they have three players that have been listed as questionable.

These are Koffi Djidji (knee), Soualiho Meite (illness) and Vittorio Parigini (thigh). All three will be game-time decisions for this game.

Key Factors to Consider

• Napoli have won four of their previous five SA matches against Torino (W4, D1).
• Goals galore? All five of the previous five H2H contests featured over 3.5 goals scored. Four of those saw both teams scoring.
• Torino have looked excellent defensively of late, as they have kept three consecutive clean sheets in the Serie A.
• Meanwhile, Napoli have not conceded a single goal in their previous four domestic matches.
• Napoli own the fourth-best attack and the third-best defence in the Serie A this season.

Conclusion

Both sides enter this game in good form. And while both feature defences, the recent history points to a high-scoring game. That should be the case once again, as we could easily witness over 2.5 goals scored in this one.

Verdict: Over 2.5 goals scored – yes

Best Odds: 3/4

Bookmaker: 888sport