Napoli make the trip to Roma as they take on Claudio Ranieri’s AS Roma, as Antonio Conte aim to keep the fight in the Serie A title challenge.
Claudio Ranieri has shown enough evidence of turning a corner for AS Roma since taking over as their manager earlier this season as he now gets set to host Napoli this weekend. The Giallorossi returned to Serie A action following a successful midweek encounter with high-flying Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt as they triumphed in that clash.
That win allowed Roma to finish in 15th place in the Europa League table, thus setting up a two-legged playoff round against FC Porto in their bid to reach the last 16 of the competition. Roma are also unbeaten in six Serie A games heading into Sunday night for their game against Napoli, as the revival series under Ranieri continued after a difficult start to the campaign.
With 30 points on board, Roma are currently ninth in the standings, as their recent revival has allowed them to target a European finish. They are still nine points off a top-four place, although should Roma continue on their resurgent form, they can surely dream of coming close to the Champions League spots.
As for Napoli, they are on a stellar run of form, winning their last seven games in Serie A to set themselves up as the main title contenders. Inter Milan are the nearest rivals, and surely with an advantage as things stand given they are three points behind Antonio Conte’s side with a game in hand, with a superior goal difference.
Inter Milan could go top by winning that game in hand, and they could still take pole position should they beat AC Milan on Sunday before the Napoli game. Hence, there will be pressure on Conte’s men to keep the tempo on the title challenge and ensure they win against Roma.
In the last two games, Napoli have certainly shown their mettle in this aspect, having beaten fellow contenders Atalanta away from home as well as Juventus last weekend. That win over the Turin giants also ended Thiago Motta’s unbeaten run in Serie A this season, as Romelu Lukaku’s winner proved the catalyst there.
Team News & Tactics
AS Roma
Claudio Ranieri may have to field a strong team following their midweek excursions, which leaves little room to rotate. The only injury absentee is Renato Marin, while defender Mario Hermoso has left to join Bayer Leverkusen, as he was being used as a backup under Ranieri.
There could be slight tweaks to the formation, as Ranieri could revert to using three midfielders, with a two-prone attack up front. Lorenzo Pellegrini, Manu Kone, and Leandro Paredes could form the midfield partnership, while Angelino and Alexis Saelemaekers will take those wing-back roles.
A three-man backline is all but expected, with Evan Ndicka, Mats Hummels, and Gianluca Mancini all expected to keep their places. Up front, Paulo Dybala will partner with Artem Dovbyk in a front two of sorts, with the latter looking to improve his form following having scored thrice in his last three league games.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Svilar; Mancini, Hummels, Ndicka; Saelemaekers, Kone, Paredes, Pellegrini, Angelino; Dybala, Dovbyk
Napoli
Much like their hosts, Napoli do not have too many injury related issues in their squad, while there are no suspensions either heading to the Italian capital.
Mathias Olivera is the only player injured at the moment, as Antonio Conte is leaning towards naming an unchanged lineup, with a 4-3-3 likely to take shape on the pitch. Amir Rrahmani and Juan Jesus are likely to set up in central defence.
Key defender Alessandro Buongiorno has resumed full training, and for now, Conte might name him on the bench, but it won’t be surprising if he does come into start in the backline.
Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Stanislav Lobotka, and Scott McTominay are the centre-pieces in midfield. Matteo Politano will start on the right, and without any reinforcements this month, Conte will once gain select David Neres on the left.
Napoli have lost one of their last ten games against AS Roma, and Romelu Lukaku was the scorer last season for the Giallorossi when these two teams met, as the Belgian will lead the line against his former employers.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Meret; Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Jesus, Spinazzola; Anguissa, Lobotka, McTominay; Politano, Lukaku, Neres
Key Stats
- Napoli have lost once in their last ten games against AS Roma in Serie A.
- Napoli have won their last seven games in Serie A.
- AS Roma have scored at least two goals in their last four matches in Serie A.
- AS Roma are unbeaten in their last six games in Serie A.
Player to Watch
Romelu Lukaku
Lukaku has come in clutch for Napoli despite the obvious changes to their attack in the last two windows. Losing both Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia will have been a blow for any team, and Napoli have Lukaku to thank for keeping them in the title race.
In the last two big games against Atalanta and Juventus, Lukaku came through with the winning goal, which will keep his confidence high. On Sunday, he will have the bonus of performing well against his former employers, as he could put in another big display for Antonio Conte’s side in the title race.
Prediction
AS Roma 1-2 Napoli
These are two in-form teams coming face to face in Serie A. AS Roma might have some momentum on their side following six games unbeaten, but they are facing a Napoli side who have won their last seven in the league, which does put the home side as the underdogs in this clash.
Napoli will look to come flying in this encounter, as they are under big pressure to deliver another win and stay in the lead at the top of the standings. Antonio Conte’s side are also in the form of their life, which does make them the overwhelming favourites to win the clash and take three points back to Naples.