SSC Napoli – Cagliari
A city holds its breath, as a single victory separates Napoli from the fourth Scudetto in the club’s history. On Friday evening, Cagliari comes to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, with Antonio Conte forced to watch the game from the stands due to suspension. Despite the absence of their coach, injuries to Buongiorno and Lobotka, and a recent sobering 0-0 draw in Parma, Napoli are one point ahead of Inter – the math is simple but brutal: three points or the title is gone. On the other side, Cagliari travel with Davide Nicola knowing they are safe from relegation, the pressure having eased after their 3-0 win over Venezia. An interesting detail is that goalkeeper Caprile is still under contract with Napoli until the end of the season.
Napoli – Cagliari info
- Venue: Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Napoli
- Date and time: May 23, 2025, 8:45 p.m.
- Competition: Serie A (Matchday 38)
Napoli form & record check
Napoli are unbeaten in five league games, but their failure to convert chances was a major shortcoming in Parma and previously against Genoa (2-2). The defense looks solid, conceding less than 1.5 goals on average in the second half. Up front, hopes rest on Raspadori and Lukaku, while Politano and Spinazzola are expected to provide dynamism on the wings. In short, Conte has prescribed controlled football – a cool head instead of fireworks.
Napoli are likely to start in a 4-2-3-1 formation again. Olivera will probably move back into central defense, with Gilmour replacing Lobotka in the holding role. Up front, Politano, McTominay, and Spinazzola will form a trio behind Raspadori, with Lukaku acting as the target man. Billing and Simeone remain as super subs. Cagliari are expected to stick with their 3-5-2 formation. Caprile will start in goal, Makoumbou and Deiola will form the midfield, and Luvumbo will provide pace alongside Piccoli. There are no major absences, although Gaetano is likely to miss out after his operation.
Cagliari form & record check
Cagliari travel with two wins and three defeats from their last five games. They have secured their survival, but the team has not drawn a single game during this phase and has always scored at least once. Their defense remains vulnerable, although it held firm against Venezia. The relaxed atmosphere could make for a courageous, albeit risk-averse, performance.
Five direct duels without a Cagliari win, three Napoli victories – most recently a clear 4-0 win in September 2024. In all encounters, at least one goal was scored after the break, with Napoli scoring every time and Cagliari always conceding in the second half. Four of the five games ended with less than 3.5 goals, two even with a 1-1 draw.
H2H Napoli – Cagliari Head-to-head & Statistics
In the last five Serie A matches between Napoli and Cagliari, there has been nothing to show for the Sardinians. Napoli are unbeaten in this period and have celebrated three wins, including a clear 4-0 victory over Cagliari in September 2024. Interestingly, only two matches ended in a draw – both times with a score of 1-1.
Looking at the full 90 minutes, Napoli have always scored, while Cagliari have remained winless. Remarkably, at least two goals have been scored in every single meeting between the two sides in the last five years, with four games seeing fewer than 3.5 goals. The first half has regularly been a low-scoring affair, with Napoli never scoring before the break.
