Saturday’s high-stakes Serie A showdown on the Stadio Olimpico pits underachieving Roma and fallen champions Napoli towards one another. Although either side begin this matchday exterior the highest 4, this encounter might have an enormous impression on the Champions League qualification race.
Jose Mourinho’s managerial future at Roma stays a topic of untamed hypothesis. A primary top-four end since 2017/18 would in all probability prolong the Portuguese’s keep in Rome. Nonetheless, Giallorossi should overcome a tough patch to consolidate their stuttering effort following back-to-back winless league outings.
After a nine-man Roma barely held Fiorentina to a 1-1 draw in their final residence league outing, Bologna thumped Mourinho’s prices 2-0 on Sunday, demoting them to eighth within the standings. At first look, they’re miles away from the top-four tempo. However in actuality, they path fourth-placed Rossoblu by a mere three factors.
It highlights the significance of profitable this fixture. If Mourinho’s future is unsure, Walter Mazzarri’s credentials are in tatters. Napoli appeared to be getting ready to turning the nook after back-to-back residence wins towards Sporting Braga and Cagliari, respectively. That’s when catastrophe struck, hitting the veteran supervisor like a thunderbolt.
Napoli discovered themselves on the receiving finish of a humiliating 4-0 scoreline towards Serie A newcomers Frosinone in midweek Coppa Italia motion. A cataclysmic consequence at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona pressured Mazzarri to make a honest apology, conscious of the ache his facet’s depressing efficiency brought on to the membership supporters.
Regardless of boasting a two-point lead over their hosts, the guests are those that have a degree to make this weekend. Caught a degree adrift of fourth-placed Bologna initially of this spherical, Napoli shall be out to not solely avenge a dreadful Coppa Italia exit however increase their top-four case amid a disgraceful defending marketing campaign.
Match Preview
Roma
Regardless of the abovementioned draw towards La Viola, the Stadio Olimpico has been Giallorossi’s protected haven this season. Since a 2-1 loss to Milan initially of September, Roma have strung collectively an attention-grabbing nine-game unbeaten residence streak in all competitions (W8, D1), together with a commanding 3-0 Europa League triumph towards Sheriff Tiraspol final trip.
To place the hosts’ over-reliance on their residence kind in context, 68% of their Serie A factors this season have come within the capital (17/25). Defensive solidity has been important, with Roma racking up six clear sheets throughout their final 9 residence video games in all competitions. Mourinho can’t complain about Roma’s scoring output both, provided that his males have bagged a minimum of two targets in 4 of the final 5 matches they’ve hosted.
Napoli
Mazzarri’s return to the helm after a decade following Rudi Garcia’s nightmarish patch has but to yield the specified impact. Napoli have blown cold and warm throughout seven aggressive video games beneath the Italian supervisor (W3, L4). They’ll be out to steadiness the scales and get better some optimism, although erasing the reminiscence of Tuesday’s thumping defeat to Frosinone gained’t come in a single day.
Napoli can a minimum of discover some consolation of their decent-looking away kind. Earlier than falling to a 1-0 defeat at Juventus earlier in December, they’d gone unbeaten on eight consecutive Serie A travels (W5, D3). Moreover, Partenopei have fared remarkably properly on their current visits to the capital. Aside from a 2-1 loss in November 2019, they’re undefeated in six of their final seven matches towards Roma at Olimpico (W5, D2).
Workforce Information
Lengthy-term absentees Chris Smalling, Marash Kumbulla, and Tammy Abraham are nonetheless out. However Mourinho’s principal concern pertains to Paulo Dybala’s match health. The Argentine suffered a muscle harm towards Fiorentina and can doubtless keep on the sidelines. Lorenzo Pellegrini, Houssem Aouar, and Sardar Azmoun are additionally unavailable.
As for Napoli, Mathias Olivera stays the one particular absentee, however there’s an opportunity Elif Elmas gained’t be a part of Mazzarri’s touring squad as a consequence of a minor health drawback.
Roma vs Napoli Potential Lineups
Roma (3-5-2): Rui Patricio; Gianluca Mancini, Diego Llorente, Evan Ndicka; Rasmus Kristensen, Bryan Cristante, Leandro Paredes, Edoardo Bove, Nicola Zalewski; Stephan El Shaarawy, Romelu Lukaku.
Napoli (4-3-3): Alex Meret; Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Natan, Amir Rrahmani, Mario Rui; Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Stanislav Lobotka, Piotr Zielinski; Matteo Politano, Victor Osimhen, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Roma vs Napoli Prediction
This contest might show a turning level for either side, particularly Napoli, who want any encouragement they will get to navigate these tumultuous instances. Nonetheless, Roma’s formidable residence kind offers the hosts a big higher hand as we again Mourinho to pour extra distress on Mazzarri’s disappointing return to southern Italy.
Prediction: Roma Win
 |
Observe us on Google Information for extra updates on Serie A and Italian soccer |