Prediction: Roma vs Napoli

Verdict: Over 2.5 goals

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Unibet

In a battle between two European contenders this weekend, Roma will welcome Napoli to The Stadio Olimpico on Sunday night.

Roma

Starting with the hosts, despite suffering that disappointing 2-0 defeat away at Parma last weekend, Roma managed to make an immediate return to winning ways on European duties. Eventually landing an emphatic 5-1 aggregate win against Ukrainian outfit Shakhtar Donetsk and extending on their Europa League adventure, I Giallorossi have largely impressed over the past two months. Knowing that victory this weekend could see them break into the top-four, Head Coach Paulo Fonseca has seen his side win three of their last four matchups across all formats. Turning their attention back to Serie A duties on Sunday night, there is no doubt that Roma will also be glad to make a return to home soil. While their domestic issues away from The Stadio Olimpico might be worrying some in their camp, The Yellow and Reds have remarkably lost just a single Serie A contest in Rome so far this season.

Team News

Roma will once again be without the duo of Henrikh Mkhitaryan (calf) and Jordan Veretout (thigh) on Sunday night.

Injury doubts Chris Smalling and Roger Ibanez face a late fitness test this weekend.

Napoli

As for the visitors, while many across Europe were shocked to see Napoli’s Europa League adventure come to an end against Spanish side Granada last month, The Light Blues have bounced back in an eye-catching fashion. Although Gennaro Gattuso’s side might have shown some real issues since opening 2021, Gli Azzurri are unbeaten in their last five matchups across all formats, winning four of those contests. With some in their camp even believing that they are enjoying their best run of the year, Napoli certainly laid down a marker on their travels last weekend. Skyrocketing their way back into the top-six and also knowing victory at The Stadio Olimpico can push them back into the Champions League spots, the former AC Milan boss saw his side pick up a 1-0 victory when they travelled to his former employers seven days ago.

Team News

Kostas Manolas, Hirving Lozano and Andrea Petagna are expected to be in Napoli’s squad when they travel to The Stadio Olimpico.

However, Napoli will be without Faouzi Ghoulam and Amir Rrahmani. Defender Giovanni Di Lorenzo will also be serving a suspension this weekend.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last faced off back in November, Napoli picked up a thumping 4-0 win on home soil.
• Sunday’s guests have also won three of their last four meetings against Roma.
• However, I Giallorossi have lost just a single Serie A contest at The Stadio Olimpico so far this season.
• Napoli are unbeaten in their last five matchups across all formats, winning four of those contests.
• Including the last four meetings, five of the previous six meetings between Napoli and Roma has finished with over 2.5 goals.

Conclusion

While Napoli might have seen their Europa League adventure come to a shock end last month, The Light Blues have bounced back in an eye-catching fashion and we could have a lively affair on our hands. Enjoying what has been their best run since opening 2021 and still boosted by that victory against AC Milan last weekend, don’t be surprised to see chances come thick and fast on Sunday night. Looking to avenge that stunning 4-0 defeat when they faced off against Napoli back in November, there is no doubt that Roma will be glad to make a return to home soil. With just a single Serie A defeat at The Stadio Olimpico so far this season, Sunday’s opponents do have a habit of producing fireworks. With five of the previous six meetings between Napoli and Roma finishing with over 2.5 goals, we’re backing a similar outcome this weekend.

Verdict: Over 2.5 goals

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Unibet