Serie A – Roma – Napoli on Match-day 11
League Leaders Napoli take thechallengeto Roma – Sunday – 8:45pm – The Stadio Olympico GMT.
Both Roma and Napoli currently share Champion’s League qualification hopes, as they sit fourth and first in the League, respectively.
Roma have 22 points to their name, going into this tie
Having lost to Sampdoria in their last game, Jose Mourinho’s men must reset and try to gain a positive result in this match.
Also, Roma keep finding ways to win, having secured seven victories in their last 10 matches is astonishing this season, which has contributed significantly to their rise up the table. Now they have 7 matches won, 2 games lost and 1 duels drawn; that’s why they currently sit in fourth place, with a total of 22 points having won seven meetings, drawn one game, and lost two games.
When Roma host Napoli, they will do so on the back of three victories and one losses on their own ground.
Roma will have 25 points so far this season, should they secure a win.
A solid defensive team
Roma’s defence has been rock solid so far, only conceding nine goals in their previous games. This has been an average season so far, in terms of performance and entertainment, even though they have delivered a decent rate of goals (13). This season, their stand-out attacking players have been Paulo Dybala (5), Chris Smalling (3), and Tammy Abraham (2).
Jose Mourinho will be forced to make changes to the plans for his squad, as injury or illness has depleted him of five of his Roma players.
Napoli will seek to retain their position at the top of the table, this game is no exception
Napoli will take a huge positive from their recent 3-2 win against Bologna at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
Also, League leaders Napoli’s League position speaks for itself, as Gli Azzurri continue their rich vein of winning form. Their last win, was the 6th in a row, which has contributed significantly to rise up the top of the Serie A. 8 wins, 0 losses and 2 draws; That’s worth the number one spot in the League having won eight meetings and drawn two matches.
Napoli have won four meetings and drawn one game of their five League matches playing away this season.
The ultimate prize this season will be for Napoli to finish top of the Serie A and secure automatic qualification for the Champion’s League. However, they must play each game as it comes and secure the points, if that is to be achieved.
A solid defensive team
Napoli have shown a consistency in defence, having so far only conceded nine goals in their previous fixtures. Napoli have one of the best goal scoring records so far this season, with 25 so far (23 from open play and two penalties). This season, their stand-out attacking players have been Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (5), Victor Osimhen (3), and Matteo Politano (3).
Luciano Spalletti could be missing up to two of their players through injury or illness for the game on Sunday.
Roma v Napoli – Head-to-Heads.
Regarding their historical duels Roma and Napoli have faced each other 46 times in the past, with the balance of wins sitting in Roma’s favour (20 – 14). Further, Napoli have repeatedly tasted defeat at the hands of Roma in eleven out of the previous 19 games with them. The last time both teams met in this competition was April 2022 and the score line ended up with a 1-1 draw.
Other players of note for Roma are Chris Smalling and Tammy Abraham with three goals and two goals respectively and for Napoli are Victor Osimhen and Matteo Politano with three goals and three goals respectively.
