Preview: Napoli vs Como – Team News, Line-ups & Prediction

Napoli proceed their Serie A title protection at dwelling as they tackle early-season shock bundle Como on Saturday night. Stadio Diego Armando Maradona varieties the backdrop for under the third top-flight assembly between the perimeters within the twenty first century.

Napoli ran out 3-1 victors on this corresponding fixture final time period, with Scott McTominay scoring a first-minute opener. That was his first purpose for the membership, and little did anybody know the Scottish star would quickly turn into certainly one of Napoli’s standout stars, to not point out final season’s Serie A MVP award winner.

Nevertheless, Napoli can be naive to take Como with no consideration, particularly after slumping to a 2-1 defeat in the newest conflict at Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia in February. The Partenopei will, nonetheless, take the sphere in excessive spirits. Antonio Conte’s males have bounced again from a heartbreaking 1-0 loss at Torino with three consecutive wins in all competitions.

Following a controversial 3-1 overcome direct Scudetto rivals Inter of their final dwelling league outing, Napoli squeezed previous Lecce in midweek Serie A motion to retain their spot on the desk’s summit. But, they sit stage on factors with Roma and will go three factors clear with one other win right here, although it might solely final till tomorrow.

Como is not going to make Napoli’s life straightforward by any means. Cesc Fabregas’ prices have gone from energy to energy within the early phases of the season, struggling only one defeat within the opening 9 Serie A rounds (W4, D4). The Lariani acquired the last word confidence booster forward of this journey as they thumped Hellas Verona 3-1 on Wednesday to maneuver inside hanging distance of the highest 4.

Match Preview

Napoli

The Maradona Stadium has been a fortress this season, with Napoli successful all 5 aggressive matches right here regardless of conserving only one clear sheet. Since a 1-0 win over Cagliari of their first dwelling league recreation of the marketing campaign, Conte’s males have gone 4 consecutive dwelling fixtures with out a shutout.

Nevertheless, that victory varieties a part of Napoli’s five-game successful Serie A streak in Naples. As such, they may make it six wins on the trot for the primary time since February 2023. Regardless of Como’s scintillating kind, there’s no cause to suppose in any other case, notably contemplating Napoli’s indomitable dwelling report.

Certainly, the hosts boast a jaw-dropping 16-match unbeaten dwelling run in all competitions (W13, D3), making the Maradona some of the intimidating hostile venues in European soccer. Too scorching to deal with after the break, Napoli spiced up their final three dwelling league victories with two second-half objectives.

It’s value noting that Conte’s well-oiled scoring machine faltered at Lecce on Tuesday, scoring from certainly one of their mere two photographs on track. Rasmus Hojlund’s absence was partially in charge, as Napoli lacked the Dane’s presence within the field. However the Manchester United loanee will probably be out there tonight.

As

Impressed by certainly one of Europe’s hottest prospects, Nico Paz, Como have loved an excellent begin to the season. The guests head into proceedings on the again of seven successive league video games with out shedding (W3, D4), whereas additionally they thrashed Sassuolo 3-0 in Coppa Italia motion throughout that excellent sequence.

Unbeaten for the reason that starting of September, Fabregas’ aspect eased previous Verona in midweek to bounce again from an uneventful scoreless draw at Parma on their most up-to-date Serie A highway journey. Regardless of dropping two factors on the Tardini Stadium, Como consolidated their upturn in away kind.

The Lariani have now misplaced simply certainly one of their final eight matches on hostile turf (W4, D3). Nevertheless, Como’s 2-1 overcome Fiorentina a month in the past stays their solely away win of the season to this point (D2, L1). Omionusly, Ferbregas’ workforce didn’t open the scoring in every of these 4 matches.

On the brilliant aspect, Como have established themselves as certainly one of Serie A’s most resilient defenses this season, conceding solely six instances within the opening 9 rounds.

Staff Information

Along with Hojlund’s restoration, Conte has welcomed first-choice center-back Amir Rrahmani again to full coaching. In the meantime, star striker Romelu Lukaku and former Manchester Metropolis playmaker Kevin De Bruyne stay on the sidelines. The identical applies to Italian goalkeeper Alex Meret.

However, Como will probably be with out Alberto Dossena and Sergi Roberto, with Lucas Da Cunha anticipated to take his place within the midfield. Summer season signing Alvaro Morata will possible get the nod in assault forward of Tasos Douvikas.

Napoli vs Como Potential Beginning Line-ups

Napoli (4-3-3): Milinkovic-Savic; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Buongiorno, Spinazzola; Anguissa, Gilmour, McTominay; Politano, Hojlund, Neres.

As (4-2-3-1): Butez; Posch, Carlos, Ramon, Valle; Perrone, Da Cunha; Kuhn, Paz, Rodriguez; Morata.

Napoli vs Como Prediction

Napoli can’t count on to have a stroll within the park towards one of many division’s best-performing defensive sides. Moreover, Como proved they’ll deal with Serie A’s elite with a 2-0 dwelling win over Juventus a fortnight in the past. Nevertheless, we count on a special state of affairs tonight, backing the hosts to assert a slender victory.

Prediction: Napoli to Win

Observe us on Google Information for extra updates on Serie A and Italian soccer