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SSC Napoli vs. Spezia Calcio
While the Bundesliga is already in the winter break, the Italian Serie A still has one last matchday before the holidays. For the conclusion of the first half of the season, SSC Napoli will host Spezia Calcio, who are seventeenth in the table. Kick-off at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium is at 20:45 on Wednesday.
Inter Milan are already the Italian autumn champions with 43 points after 18 games. Right behind them, in second place, is SSC Napoli (39 points). Spezia Calcio, on the other hand, are at the other end of the table. With only 13 points, the Ligurians are currently three points ahead of the relegation places.
Whether we see the outcome of the match as clear-cut as the table situation suggests, and what other predictions we make for this match, you can find out in our Napoli vs. Spezia Calcio tip.
Napoli – Spezia Calcio info
– Date & Time: 22/12/2021, 20:45 hrs.
– Venue: Naples, Diego Armando Maradona Stadium
– Competition: Serie A, Matchday 19
– TV broadcast: DAZN
Napoli Form & Balance Check
SSC Napoli were able to redeem themselves a little bit after three winless league games in a row (2:2 against US Sassuolo, 2:3 against Atalanta Bergamo & 0:1 against FC Empoli) on the last matchday. In the direct duel for the second place in the table, the Neapolitans won 1:0 at AC Milan. Eljif Elmas scored the golden goal of the day in the 5th minute. With the victory, SSC overtook Milan in the table. Thanks to the better goal difference, Napoli are now in second place in Serie A with 39 points. However, leaders Inter Milan have already gained a small cushion on the chasers with 43 points.
With injury worries into the winter break
For Napoli, the winter break comes just in time. At the moment, the Neapolitans are plagued by major injury worries. With Kalidou Koulibaly, Fabian Ruiz, captain Lorenzo Insigne and Victor Osimhen, four absolute key players are currently out. While Koulibaly and Osimhen are expected back at the beginning of the new year, it is not yet possible to estimate how long Ruiz and Insigne will be out.
Napoli facts & analysis
– one win from the last four Serie A games (1 draw & 2 defeats).
– lost two home league games in a row
– eight goals conceded in last five competitive matches
Spezia Calcio form & balance check
Spezia Calcio are winless in seven competitive matches. In the Italian Cup, the Eagles were eliminated in the second round last Thursday. They lost their home match against the second division team US Lecce with 0:2. In the league, the Ligurians are in a non-relegation spot before the last matchday of the first half of the season. With 13 points, they are currently three points ahead of the red zone. Last Sunday, they hosted FC Empoli, who had won at SSC Napoli in the previous match. In Spezia, however, Empoli could not get beyond a 1-1 draw despite 22 to 9 shots on goal and 66 per cent possession.
The darned second year
For Spezia Calcio, it is only the second Serie A season in the club’s history after their promotion in 2019. Last season, the Ligurians already picked up 18 points in the first leg and eventually finished the season in 15th place in the table with 39 points. They are still a long way from that this season. In the second half of the season, the Eagles will have to improve, especially away from home. In the first nine away games, they only picked up four points.
Spezia Calcio facts & analysis
– winless in seven competitive matches
– conceded at least one goal in seven consecutive competitive matches
– lost only one of last three Serie A games (2 draws)
Predicted line-up – last update on 20 December 2021
We expect Spezia Calcio to play in a 3-5-2 system, as they have done in recent games. However, in the game against the ball, the Ligurians adopt a defensive 5-3-2 formation. Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti, on the other hand, is an advocate of the four-man backline and lets his team play in a classic 4-2-3-1. Against Spezia we expect Dries Mertens and Matteo Politano back in the starting eleven. Both had been on the bench at the start against AC Milan.
SSC Napoli – Spezia Calcio direct comparison & Statistics
SSC Napoli have played Spezia Calcio a total of six times in their club history. Napoli have managed to win five matches. On matchday 6 last season Spezia Calcio were successful the only time. The Ligurians won 2:1 in Naples.
– SSC Napoli have conceded a total of six goals in their last three home matches.
– SSC Napoli have the best defence in Serie A (13 goals conceded)
– Spezia Calcio have failed to score in four of their last six competitive matches
– Spezia Calcio have the second worst defence in Serie A (39 goals conceded)
