Scudetto battle in Rome

The match at the Olympic Stadium between Napoli and Roma will be a high-risk event. Despite the ban on selling tickets to people residing in the Campania region, around ten thousand Napoli supporters will still be at the Olimpico, coming from other parts of Italy and from Rome itself, since the capital has a large Neapolitan community. Roma entered Matchday 13 as league leaders for the first time since 2015, when Rudi Garcia sat on the bench. Interestingly, back then Napoli were also right behind Roma in the standings, just like now. The secret to Roma’s success is their steel-solid defense and Mile Svilar. Gasperini’s team has conceded only six goals in the previous 12 rounds, the third-best record in the last 50 seasons.

Napoli have lost only once in their last 11 encounters with Roma, with six wins and four draws. The Giallorossi recorded that lone victory two years ago under Mourinho, with goals from Pellegrini and Lukaku. Also, looking at the last nine meetings at the Olimpico, the Romans have won only twice, compared to five victories for the Azzurri and two draws. However, Napoli have struggled in away matches this season. The Azzurri have already lost five matches away from Naples in Serie A and the Champions League.

Napoli and Roma share another trait: when they take the lead, they don’t lose it. Along with Sassuolo, Napoli and Roma are the only teams in Serie A that haven’t dropped a single point from a winning position. So, whoever scores the first goal will be very close to winning—especially since Roma, when conceding first this season, have rarely managed to come back. They have overturned the result only once, against last-placed Fiorentina in Florence.

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Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini breathed a huge sigh of relief when detailed medical tests confirmed that Kone’s ankle is fine and that he will be able to play against Napoli. Practically, the home team cannot count only on Dovbyk and Angelino. There is no doubt about Roma’s defensive and midfield setup, while the attack could bring surprises. It is more than likely that Ferguson will start on the bench, while Baldanzi could be Gasperini’s surprise card. The former Empoli player may not have Dybala’s qualities, but he is much more useful and disciplined when Roma are out of possession, and he could have the specific task of applying the first press on Lobotka.

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Napoli are still in an alarming situation, with as many as six players sidelined. Besides Lukaku and De Bruyne, Anguissa, Gilmour, Gutierrez, and Meret are also on the injury list. Conte intends to stick with the return to a three-man defensive line as well as the Lang–Neres duo. As the saying goes, “when one door closes, another opens”—the Dutchman and the Brazilian have benefited from the injuries to Lukaku and De Bruyne, as well as Politano’s drop in form. In their last two matches, against Atalanta and Qarabag, Agdam, Lang and Neres were the key creators of Napoli’s victories.

SERIE A - MATCHDAY 13

Friday

Como - Sassuolo 2-0 (1-0)

/Douvikas 14, Moreno 53/

Saturday

Genoa - Verona 2-1 (1-1)

/Colombo 40, Thorsby 62 - Belghali 21/

Parma - Udinese 0-2 (0-1)

/Zaniolo 11, Davis 65 pen/

Juventus - Cagliari 2-1 (2-1)

/Yildiz 27, 45+1 - Esposito Se. 26/

Milan - Lazio 1-0 (0-0)

/Leao 51/

Sunday

Lecce - Torino 2-1 (2-0)

/Coulibaly 20, Banda 22 - Adams 57/

17.00: (10.0) Pisa (5.00) Inter (1.33)

20.00: (1.75) Atalanta (3.60) Fiorentina (4.90)

22.45: (2.65) Roma (3.00) Napoli (3.15)

Monday

22.45: (1.47) Bologna (4.10) Cremonese (7.75)

***odds are subject to change***