Calcio race: Wolves hunting Napoli, Inter hunting Wolves

Just three points behind Napoli — who have already played and won their match — Roma face a must-win scenario against Parma if they are to reclaim a share of top spot with the Serie A leaders.

The Giallorossi have been imperious away from home but curiously fragile at the Stadio Olimpico, a weakness that could give struggling Parma a glimmer of hope. After suffering two defeats in the space of a week, Roma bounced back last Sunday with a fourth consecutive away victory, edging Sassuolo thanks to Paulo Dybala’s early strike.

Roma’s defensive discipline remains their biggest strength. Boasting five clean sheets from eight league matches and conceding only three goals — none from set pieces — Gian Piero Gasperini’s side own the best defensive record in Italy this season. In fact, no other team in Europe’s top five leagues has collected more away points in 2025, with an impressive 11 wins from 14 games on the road.

Yet at home, the story has been starkly different. The Giallorossi have fallen in each of their last three matches at the Olimpico, including two Europa League defeats to Lille and Viktoria Plzen, managing just a single goal in that run. Gasperini has voiced frustration over the dip in form from Artem Dovbyk and Evan Ferguson, but despite those struggles, Roma could still climb to the top of the table depending on midweek results.

La Joya finally led his wolfpack - Roma and Napoli level on points

For Roma, Dybala — now fully fit and fresh off his first Serie A goal of the campaign — is expected to lead the line again, with Ferguson still nursing an ankle issue. Leon Bailey made his first start at the weekend but may make way for either Lorenzo Pellegrini or Matias Soule, who scored the decisive goal in this fixture last February.

On the left flank, Kostas Tsimikas should continue to deputize for the recovering Angelino, sidelined with bronchitis. Meanwhile, Parma welcome back Abdoulaye Ndiaye from suspension but remain without several key names — Emanuele Valeri, Gaetano Oristanio, Matija Frigan, and Jacob Ondrejka are all out, while Pontus Almqvist remains doubtful.

On the other side, a clash of tension and high stakes awaits at San Siro, where Inter look to recover from their setback in Naples, while Fiorentina arrive desperate to halt their alarming slide.

The Nerazzurri’s impressive winning run came to an abrupt end at the Maradona, where a heated encounter with Napoli not only cost them three points but also saw Henrikh Mkhitaryan pick up an injury — a major blow for Cristian Chivu, who considers him one of his key players.

Now sitting fourth with 15 points, Inter cannot afford another stumble if they hope to stay in touch with leaders Napoli and Roma. Sucic is expected to return to the starting lineup, and Chivu plans to keep faith in an attack-minded setup, rotating Pio Esposito and Bonny alongside Lautaro Martínez, as the team awaits Marcus Thuram’s comeback.

For Fiorentina, the atmosphere is equally tense. The Viola narrowly avoided another defeat last weekend, rescuing a 2–2 draw against Bologna thanks to two penalties — but the result did little to mask their ongoing struggles.

With only four points to their name and sitting third from bottom, Stefano Pioli finds himself under immense pressure. Despite his team’s flawless record in the Conference League, a loss in Milan could push him dangerously close to the brink.

Both sides enter this contest in need of redemption, but with contrasting narratives — Inter looking to reassert their title ambitions, and Fiorentina simply fighting to keep their season alive.

SERIE A ROUND 9

Tuesday

Lecce - Napoli 0-1 (0-0)

/Anguissa 69/

Atalanta - Milan 1-1 (1-1)

/Lookman 35 - Ricci 4/

Wednesday

20.30: (1.60) Como (3.60) Verona (6.50)

20.30: (1.48) Juventus (4.40) Udinese (8.00)

20.30: (1.53) Roma (4.25) Parma (7.00)

22.45: (1.80) Bologna (3.60) Torino (5.10)

22.45: (1.90) Genoa (3.50) Cremonese (4.70)

22.45: (1.40) Inter (4.60) Fiorentina (8.00)

Thursday

20.30: (2.60) Cagliari (3.25) Sassuolo (3.00)

22.45: (3.70) Pisa (3.45) Lazio (2.15)

*** odds are subject to change***