Napoli vs Roma: Preview, Prediction & Betting Tips

The battle for European places is of importance at the weekend. Napoli hosts Roma with both sides eager to qualify for their respective European competition they are aiming for.

Location: Diego Armando Maradona Stadium

Date: 28/04/2024 Kick-Off: 5:00 PM

Napoli are still the current champions, although their title defence has been disappointing. The home side are currently eighth in the league, with a win potentially moving them into the top seven ahead of the Lazio. The hosts are three points behind Lazio and possess a far superior goal difference.

Napoli are not in any other competition having only the league games to now focus on with the remainder of their campaign. Napoli could fall behind Fiorentina if they fail to beat A.S. Roma.

The visitors have been brilliant since the arrival of Daniele de Rossi at the club. Roma are currently four points behind fourth-placed Bologna. However, by the time this game is played, Roma could be just one point behind since both Roma and Bologna face each other before Roma travel to Napoli.

If Roma fails to win their next two games, however, this could open an opportunity for Atalanta to perhaps move into fifth place. Roma also has a game in hand over Bologna.

In the reverse fixture, Roma beat Napoli 2-0 at the Stadio Olimpico.

Napoli Team News

Mathias Olivera will be touch and go for the game. The left-back has been suffering with an injury but could return for the game. Napoli have up to four suspension risks including the likes of Victor Osimhen.

A.S Roma Team News

Romelu Lukaku will be unavailable due to muscle problems. Evan Ndicka is expected to make a return and there are up to five suspension risks for Daniele De Rossi.

The recent history between the two sides suggests this game could be a closely contested affair at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium. In the last five meetings between the two sides, Napoli have just edged out their opponents by winning twice and drawing twice whilst losing the remaining game.

Roma have the historical advantage overall in this fixture. The away side have beaten Napoli 16 times from 39, whilst losing 14 and drawing the remaining nine games. On average this game averages 2.85 goals per game.

Napoli were the victors in this corresponding fixture last season as they were chasing down the Scudetto. It was a close contest between the two sides with Giovanni Simeone scoring an 86th minute winner past Jose Mourinho’s Roma at that point.

Roma are winless in their last five visits to Napioli. The last recorded victory for Daniele de Rossi’s side came in 2018. Roma were 4-2 winners that day thanks to a brace from Edin Dzeko and goals from Diego Perotti and Cengiz Under.

Interestingly, the games between the two teams in recent years have been settled by a maximum of a two-goal score-line. The only anomaly in this was when Napoli recorded a 4-0 victory over Roma in 2020.

Napoli entered this game on the back of some very indifferent form for the current Serie A Champions. The hosts have only won once out of their last five games in the league, drawing twice and losing the remaining one. Some of the results include a 3-0 loss to Atalanta as well as a credible draw away at potential champions Inter Milan.

In their most recent home game, Napoli were held to a 2-2 draw against Frosinone. The away side Frosinone was dominant in possession but goals from Matteo Politano and Victor Osimhen were thought to have given Napoli all three points. However, a brace from Cheddira thwarted Napoli.

The hosts don’t have a particularly great record at home, which is reflected in their disappointing league position. Napoli have played 16 games at home this season, having won six, drawn five and losing the remaining five.

Napoli have averaged 1.44 points at home this season and have only won from their last five at home. This win was a 2-1 victory over Juventus, thanks to goals from Khvicha Kvratskhelia and Giacomo Raspadori.

At home, they have averaged 1.38 goals per game in the attacking areas, although defensively they have conceded 1.44 goals per game. Napoli have a horrendous record when it comes to keeping clean sheets, having only kept clean sheets in 13% of their home league games this season.

Victor Osimhen leads the way in terms of the goal-scoring charts. The Nigerian forward who has been linked with a move away from Napoli, has scored 13 league goals this season. Osimhen has averaged 0.69 goals per 90 minutes this season.

Roma have what is considered quite average away form, heading into this game overall, although their last six games provide some optimism going forward. Roma have won four out of their last five away games, though the overall form is still mixed.

The away side have played 16 games this season away from home in the league, winning six, drawing four times and losing the remaining six games. Roma have averaged 1.75 points per game, with 1.78 goals scored and 1.18 goals conceded on average.

Roma’s last away win was 2-1 away at Udinese on Thursday night as Bryan Cristante scored a 95th-minute winner, while prior to this, they had thrashed Monza 4-1. The latter-mentioned game itself was evenly contested in terms of the statistics and it was Roma that day that were clinical in their chances. Paulo Dybala and Romelu Lukaku were on hand with a goal and an assist each. Roma last tasted defeat on the road back in January where they lost 3-1 away at AC Milan.

Dybala has been in tremendous form this season for Roma. The Argentine has scored 12 goals so far this season and contributed eight assists for his side. Dybala averages 0.68 goals per 90 minutes.

Roma are in good form. We predict they will be too much for a Napoli side that has been out of sorts this season.

Napoli 0-2 A.S. Roma

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The game will not be broadcast on TV in the UK.

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