Preview: Napoli vs Roma – Team News, Lineups & Prediction

Stadio Diego Maradona varieties the backdrop for the most recent version of the well-known Derby del Sole between Napoli and Roma. A spot within the high 4 is on the road, with solely three factors separating the groups forward of kickoff.

Napoli overturned an early deficit to beat bottom-half Genoa final weekend, as Rasmus Hojlund’s Ninety fifth-minute penalty impressed them to a last-gasp 3-2 victory at Stadio Luigi Ferraris. Recent off profitable back-to-back league video games for the primary time in 2026, Antonio Conte’s males will search an announcement win to strengthen their place within the standings.

Sitting third, Napoli are already out of the Scudetto race, with runaway leaders Inter now 12 factors clear following a 3-2 residence win over Juventus final night time. Due to this fact, the Partenopei can not afford a slip-up right here in the event that they’re to keep up their faint hopes of defending their title alive, though the duty forward is nothing in need of arduous.

Trailing their upcoming rivals by three factors, Roma bounced again from consecutive Serie A matches with out a win (D1, L1) with a 2-0 residence victory over Cagliari final day trip. And with Juventus dropping factors yesterday, Gian Piero Gasperini’s expenses might put daylight between them and the record-time Italian champions with a uncommon derby triumph.

Certainly, Roma have solely received considered one of their final 12 conferences with Napoli (D4, L7), slipping to a irritating 1-0 defeat in November’s reverse fixture on the Stadio Olimpico. Eager to keep away from one other disappointing outcome, the Giallorossi can be determined to deal with their journey illness, having didn’t win their final two aggressive outings on the highway (D1, L1).

Match Preview

Napoli

Along with their dominant current document on this matchup, Napoli have gone unbeaten of their final seven residence clashes in opposition to Roma (W4, D3), together with a slender 1-0 victory within the corresponding fixture within the 2024/25 season. The Maradona Stadium has been a fortress this time period, with the reigning holders nonetheless considered one of solely two sides but to lose a house Serie A recreation (W8, D3).

Moreover, Napoli haven’t misplaced any of their final 22 residence league outings (W16, D6), so it’s unimaginable to place it previous them to assert bragging rights at present. Nevertheless, two defeats from their final three residence matches throughout all competitions (W1) have solid doubt on the Maradona Stadium’s once-impregnable stronghold standing.

That mentioned, Napoli are boasting the longest unbeaten residence streak within the high flight since 1988. With that in thoughts, Conte ought to really feel assured about extending his formidable run in opposition to Roma that has seen him keep away from defeat in his final 9 clashes in opposition to the membership from the capital in Serie A (W5, D4).

Roma

Looking for their first top-four end for the reason that 2017/18 season, Roma can not accept something lower than a win right here in the event that they’re to bolster their Champions League declare. Curiously, that marketing campaign eight years in the past was the final time they bettered their present 46-point haul after 24 video games, testifying to Gasperini’s spectacular work on the Olimpico.

A uncommon draw back of Gasperini’s early regime is Roma’s infamous incapacity to carry out in high-stakes fixtures. Certainly, they’re nonetheless ready for his or her first league triumph in opposition to fellow top-five rivals this season (D1, L4). For context, no different Serie A facet has fared worse in these high-profile encounters.

Whereas many had anticipated Roma to play enticing soccer underneath Gasperini, particularly after his outstanding stint at Atalanta, that has not been the case. Roma’s league matches this time period have averaged the division-low of 1.79 targets per recreation, highlighting the potential for a low-scoring affair.

Staff Information

Napoli can be with out long-term absentees Kevin De Bruyne, Frank Anguissa and Billy Gilmour, alongside captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo. Moreover, veteran center-back Juan Jesus should serve a one-game ban for the crimson card he picked up in opposition to Genoa. On the intense facet, star midfielder Scott McTominay must be at Conte’s disposal, together with Romelu Lukaku and Leonardo Spinazzola.

However, Roma boss Gasperini can not name upon a number of first-team stars, together with beginning center-forward Artem Dovbyk and midfield cornerstone Manu Kone. Skilled defender Mario Hermoso can also be out with a hip damage. The identical applies to Stephan El Shaarawy and Evan Ferguson, although Paulo Dybala has reportedly overcome a minor health problem.

Napoli vs Roma Potential Beginning Lineups

Napoli (3-4-2-1): Milinkovic-Savic; Beukema, Rrahmani, Good Morning; Politano, Lobotka, McTominay, Spinazzola; Vergara, Elmas; Hojlund.

Roma (3-4-2-1): Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Ghilardi; Celik, Cristante, Pisilli, Wesley; Soule, Dybala; Malen.

Napoli vs Roma Prediction

Given the high-stakes nature of this contest, it’s arduous to anticipate both facet to take pointless dangers, which might pave the best way for a tense and cagey affair on the Maradona Stadium. With a lot on the road within the top-four race, we anticipate the spoils to be shared in a hard-fought draw.

Prediction: Draw

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