On Saturday afternoon, Roma and Napoli go head-to-head at the Stadio Olimpico in one of the biggest games of the Serie A weekend. Both teams are expected to challenge for a Champions League spot this season.
Roma (Odds of 7/4 for victory)
Despite a recent injury crisis, the Giallorossi have fared well so far in Serie A under new boss Paulo Fonseca. They are currently fourth place in the Italian top-flight and a victory would keep them in the mix at the business end of the Serie A table.
The team from the Italian capital are currently seven games undefeated in all competitions, including five in Serie A. In fact, they have been extremely difficult to defeat in the Italian top-flight in recent months, as they have suffered just one defeat in 19 outings in Serie A.
The Giallorossi have recorded two straight wins over AC Milan and last time out Udinese, which have lifted them to their current lofty position in the table.
Roma have a relatively strong recent home record, winning six of their last nine matches at the Stadio Olimpico in Serie A while suffering just one loss. Although the home side has not always been prolific on home soil of late, they have scored in 18 of their last 19 home games in the Italian top-flight.
One minor negative going into this clash is that Roma have won just one of the last five meetings with Napoli in all competitions.
Roma will be without a number of players for this clash, including Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Bryan Cristante and Lorenzo Pellegrini due to injury, while Federico Fazio is suspended.
Napoli (Odds of 29/20 for victory)
Carlo Ancelotti’s side has not made the best of starts to their Serie A campaign by their previous high standards. The Partenopei are currently sixth in the Italian top-flight table, just a point behind their hosts. However, the team from Naples have so often been the closest challengers to perennial Scudetto-winners Juventus in recent years.
Napoli’s problem of late has been too many draws in Serie A, as they have drawn three of their last for games in the league. A 1-1 draw with SPAL followed by a 2-2 home draw against Atalanta last time out has rather hindered their attempts at making up ground on Juventus and second-place Inter at the top of the table.
The visitors recent away record could not be more inconsistent, as they have won two, drawn two and lost two of their last six games on their travels in Serie A. They are currently undefeated in three league matches on the road.
One crucial absentee is Brazilian central midfielder Allan. The 28-year-old makes his team tick but is ruled out due to injury.
Conclusion
These two teams are both on decent runs of form, which they will be hopeful of extending in this clash. However, with key players absent from both teams, we are backing the game to finish in a draw, which can be backed at odds of 13/5.
Verdict: Back the draw at odds of 13/5. (All odds are taken from Bet365).
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Who will come out on top between Roma and Napoli?
