Napoli had the chance to move up into the top three this week but they didn't take it, so they will have to make the most out of Saturday's encounter with title contenders Roma. Head coach Rafael Benitez was under pressure early in the season but then Napoli went on a six-match unbeaten streak in the Serie A. However, they are seventh in the table and only managed a draw against Atalanta in midweek thanks to a late goal from Gonzalo Higuain.
Last season Roma defeated Napoli 2-0 in the Italian capital but Napoli clinched a 1-0 victory at home. Roma have recorded just one league defeat so far this season, 3-2 at the hands of leaders and reigning champions Juventus. Roma are tied on 22 points with Juventus at the top of the table.
Mattia Destro and Daniele de Rossi scored in Roma's 2-0 win over Cesena on Wednesday, and both will surely keep their places in the starting eleven. Napoli will be relying on Gonzalo Higuain and Jose Callejon in attack.
Probable starting line-ups:
Napoli: Rafael - Ghoulam, Koulibaly, Albiol, Maggio - Mertens, Hamsik, Inler, David Lopez - Callejon, Higuain
Roma: Skorupski - Torosidis, Manolas, Astori, Cole - Pjanic, De Rossi, Keita - Iturbe, Destro, Gervinho
My prediction: 2-2 draw.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Napoli win - 7/5 Draw - 23/10 Roma win - 19/10
mdacic 9 years ago
But benzema is one of the best scorer in champions league, only raul ronaldo and messi have more goals than him. He can score with head and he can shot with both legs. I think that he is complete striker and he is born for big matches, just like few weeks ago in el classico. But nevermind different opinion they are both...
But benzema is one of the best scorer in champions league, only raul ronaldo and messi have more goals than him. He can score with head and he can shot with both legs. I think that he is complete striker and he is born for big matches, just like few weeks ago in el classico. But nevermind different opinion they are both great players :)
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mico.femic.1 9 years ago
roma has become totally a bad team and has started to lose a disaster. had always a strong team and good players , now have could work a lot on it and focus that can receive and parry the best clubs in Europe. If this keeps up better to return to the second division . embarrassing to lose like that of the third and not...
roma has become totally a bad team and has started to lose a disaster. had always a strong team and good players , now have could work a lot on it and focus that can receive and parry the best clubs in Europe. If this keeps up better to return to the second division . embarrassing to lose like that of the third and not the first . It happens to the best of roma but this season is really bad start .
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John Andrew 9 years ago
However, Higuain in every season in Real Madrid score more than 15 goals. And don`t forget that in season with manuel pelegrini on the bench, Higuain was the first choice, and with Ronaldo he score the most goals. He had some problems with injuries.
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John Andrew 9 years ago
I can`t agree with you. Benzema maybe was the biggest talent in Europe, but that is all. When he went to Real, he change his play style... Early, he never not been a forward, od target man, in Lyon he played behind the strikers and he played greta... Ha had a great dribble, but now he rarely do this.
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mdacic 9 years ago
Higuain is player without a brain. He play football on instict and he is very quick and that is it. But benzema have a much more football knowledge. And that is reason why Higuain is more often in offside position than Karim. So at the end I think that Benzema is more complete player than Higuain and that is why Real madrid...
Higuain is player without a brain. He play football on instict and he is very quick and that is it. But benzema have a much more football knowledge. And that is reason why Higuain is more often in offside position than Karim. So at the end I think that Benzema is more complete player than Higuain and that is why Real madrid keep him
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John Andrew 9 years ago
I definitely think that Real Madrid could be a more efficient with him in forward line, if this is possible. Benzema play good sometimes, when all players play good... I never seen from him to solve match, but Higuain usually do this. Pipita made good decision when he went to Napoli, because in Napoli he is the best player.
I definitely think that Real Madrid could be a more efficient with him in forward line, if this is possible. Benzema play good sometimes, when all players play good... I never seen from him to solve match, but Higuain usually do this. Pipita made good decision when he went to Napoli, because in Napoli he is the best player.
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mdacic 9 years ago
@John Andrew But Real made great decision. Now you see how great benzema is. He is in great form. He scored last night agains Liverpool and he deserve place in real madrid. Higuain is great player but he isn't world class. He don't have good finishing. He is just overrated player and Napolis is his maximum I think, in any...
@John Andrew But Real made great decision. Now you see how great benzema is. He is in great form. He scored last night agains Liverpool and he deserve place in real madrid. Higuain is great player but he isn't world class. He don't have good finishing. He is just overrated player and Napolis is his maximum I think, in any other bigger club he would be on bench
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John Andrew 9 years ago
I am always happy when Higuain scores the goal. For me that player was able to be the best striker on the world. But he was unlucky. He have a great finish and movement. In Real Madrid Benzema was in first squad although Pipita always score more than him. But he is in the best football years.
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Daniel Anderson 9 years ago
Napoli showed that they are still serious team.They beated AS Roma,the team which was in very good form before match.Rafa Benitez had a good tactic in this match.Gonzalo 'El Pipita' Higuain had a fantastic performance.He scored a fantastic goal in the start of the match.
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schuber26 9 years ago
As a Juventus fan i didn't think that Napoli can win as easily as they did. Roma had a lot of luck that they didn't loose to 4-0 or 5-0. Napoli played well. Higuain, Callejon, Hamsik and Insigne are very dangerous in the attacking section. Maybe the best attacker form in Serie A. Everybody says that Roma is the best team...
As a Juventus fan i didn't think that Napoli can win as easily as they did. Roma had a lot of luck that they didn't loose to 4-0 or 5-0. Napoli played well. Higuain, Callejon, Hamsik and Insigne are very dangerous in the attacking section. Maybe the best attacker form in Serie A. Everybody says that Roma is the best team in serie A.. maybe in the future, not now. If Roma want Serie A title they must win against big teams like Napoli, Juventus, Milan etc..
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explosio4 9 years ago
As I said, the Roma have problems on their travels in the derby. They're just not good enough for the game, not on the level. They have a lot to work on this aspect to be able to compete with Juventus. On the other hand, a perfect match for Napoli, have not conceded a goal, scored two in such a difficult match to a great...
As I said, the Roma have problems on their travels in the derby. They're just not good enough for the game, not on the level. They have a lot to work on this aspect to be able to compete with Juventus. On the other hand, a perfect match for Napoli, have not conceded a goal, scored two in such a difficult match to a great effect. Rafa Benitez is certainly happy with the team.
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Franjo ?iDo 9 years ago
Currently is half time - Napoli is leading 1-0, Higuain scored in 3'.. It was good game in first 45 minutes and I expect even more in second half, Roma should play very offensive, they must score if they want at least one point, than Napoli will have more space for some counter-attacks, it will be very interesting, I hope...
Currently is half time - Napoli is leading 1-0, Higuain scored in 3'.. It was good game in first 45 minutes and I expect even more in second half, Roma should play very offensive, they must score if they want at least one point, than Napoli will have more space for some counter-attacks, it will be very interesting, I hope that Roma will win at least one point in this match...
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Shumar4life 9 years ago
Both of this two teams has Champions league ambitions, and surely it will bring us lot of good football to watch tonight. Napoli recently had good results, but Roma is also good team. Napoli has advantage of th home turf, and this could be a problem for Roma which one is known like a team who plays good at home. I hope...
Both of this two teams has Champions league ambitions, and surely it will bring us lot of good football to watch tonight. Napoli recently had good results, but Roma is also good team. Napoli has advantage of th home turf, and this could be a problem for Roma which one is known like a team who plays good at home. I hope that tonight we will see a lot of goals :)
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explosio4 9 years ago
Roma is a good team, but when they play at home. I wonder how he will handle the hot guest appearance in Naples. I do not think very well, because Napoli is in good shape, play well, just do not have luck in the realization of opportunities. This will give them to return to a next match, maybe on this. Awaiting the Roma...
Roma is a good team, but when they play at home. I wonder how he will handle the hot guest appearance in Naples. I do not think very well, because Napoli is in good shape, play well, just do not have luck in the realization of opportunities. This will give them to return to a next match, maybe on this. Awaiting the Roma goal, and Napoli will win 3-1.
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VlahovicNovo 9 years ago
Napoli is in solid form.Last wednesday they played in bergamo 1-1 against Atalanta and in 92 min Higuan miss penalty kick.Roma is very very good and they are now 1st on table.In this match i espect very taft game and , draw is very possible.
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