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SSC Napoli vs. AS Roma
One of two Monday fixtures will take place in Serie A on Matchday 33 between SSC Napoli and AS Roma. Kick-off is at 19:00 at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, where the two Champions League aspirants will battle it out for important points. While Napoli are almost certain of a place in the top flight and have their sights set on the league title, Roma urgently need to score in the season finale to close the gap. Our prediction for this match can be found in the following Napoli vs AS Roma tip.
Napoli are in third place after 32 games. With 66 points, the gap to fifth place and thus only one Europa League place is currently a comfortable nine points. Roma are currently in fifth place and have their eyes on Juventus in fourth. The capital has collected 57 points so far, Juve is still five points away. José Mourinho’s team could therefore launch another attack in the final spurt. To do so, however, they will also need a three-goal win in their duels with other top teams.
Napoli – AS Roma Info:
– Date & Time: 18/04/2022, 19:00.
– Venue: Diego Armando Maradona (Naples)
– Competition: Serie A, Matchday 32
– TV broadcast: In Livestream at DAZN
Napoli Form & Balance Check
SSC Napoli are playing a strong season overall, but they still have room to improve. In the Serie A championship race, the Neapolitans are well in the mix, with leaders AC Milan just two points away. In the coming weeks, the team can also concentrate fully on the league and the title fight, because all cup competitions are already over. In the last 16 of the Coppa Italia, they suffered a heavy 5-2 defeat against Florence, and in the Europa League, they were eliminated in the playoffs against Barcelona.
Gonzalez upsets Napoli
Of course, the Serie A title would mean all the more to the southern Italians. In the tight three-way battle for first place with the two Milan teams, Napoli recently scored with a strong run of three consecutive wins. Last weekend, however, a setback followed, with Fiorentina again upsetting SSC. The ex-Stuttgart player Gonzalez scored two points and was the decisive man. Mertens and Osimhen scored for Napoli but could not prevent the 3-2 defeat either.
Napoli facts & analysis
– 3rd place in Serie A, 66 points
– Last lost 2:3 against Florence
– 1st defeat after 3 wins in a row before
AS Roma form & balance check
Roma have stalked their way back to the Champions League places in recent weeks with strong performances. The capitals have not lost in the league for eleven games and have celebrated seven victories in that period. Fourth place is now within reach again, with Juventus only five points away. If the Romans can maintain their strong form in the season finale, it could well be close for Juve again. Roma, however, will certainly want to avoid having to play in the unloved Europa Conference League again next year.
Fearful opponent Bodö/Glimt finally defeated
Because the elite of European football don’t exactly cavort there. Nevertheless, Roma have always had problems with some of the lesser-known teams from smaller associations. Especially with the Norwegian team FK Bodö/Glimt, which has almost become AS’s fearful opponent. Already in the group phase, they suffered a sensational 1:6 defeat against the big outsiders, and in the return match, too, Rome could not take revenge with a 2:2. Now, in the quarter-finals, Roma had to face the Norwegians again, conceding another defeat in the first leg (1:2). In the second leg, however, Roma overcame the curse and won 4:0, with the outstanding Zaniolo scoring three goals.
AS Roma Facts & Analysis
– 5th place in Serie A, 57 points.
– Most recently won 4-0 against Bodö/Glimt
– Unbeaten in the league for 11 games, including 7 wins
Predicted line-up – last update on 16 April 2022
Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti could leave the starting eleven from the last game unchanged for the clash against his ex-club. However, if he does want to give new impetus after the defeat, Mertens and Zambo Anguissa, who has been reinstated after a yellow suspension, are likely to be the first candidates. On the Roman side, much will depend on how the players cope with the strain of Thursday’s Conference League match. Minor rotations cannot be ruled out in Mourinho’s side either, with Zaniolo expected to start again after his treble.
Napoli – AS Roma direct comparison & stats
SSC Napoli and AS Roma have already played 153 duels against each other, 149 of them in Serie A. Overall, Roma have the edge with 55 victories, while Napoli have won 47 games. 51 other games have ended in a draw. The first leg in Serie A was a goalless draw.
– The average number of goals scored in a clash between SSC Napoli and AS Roma is 2.4.
– The average number of goals scored in the first half in matches between SSC Napoli and AS Roma is 0.8.
– The first leg ended in a draw. (0-0)
– Last season SSC Napoli won both matches against AS Roma (4-0 at home and 2-0 away).
– A look at SSC Napoli: Victor Osimhen is the top scorer with 12 goals. Tammy Abraham scored 15 times for AS Roma.
