Sassuolo – SSC Napoli
Captain Domenico Berardi has just extended his contract until 2029, but Sassuolo’s season opener against defending champions Napoli comes at just the right time as a small test of courage. On Saturday at 6:30 p.m., the promoted side welcomes the reigning champions to the MAPEI Stadium, where the hosts have never taken a point against the Azzurri in their last five meetings. The 1-6 debacle in February 2024 is likely to be particularly painful to remember. Antonio Conte returns with his team but will have to do without striker Romelu Lukaku, who is out until December with a thigh injury. The betting market still sees Napoli as the clear favorite, while Fabio Grosso is in combative mood and convinced that his Sassuolo side can hold their own against “such a strong opponent.” Conte himself is urging humility and warning against overly high expectations.
Sassuolo – Napoli Info
- Venue: MAPEI Stadium – Città del Tricolore, Reggio Emilia
- Date and time: 23.08.2025, 18:30
- Competition: Serie A (Matchday 1)
Sassuolo form & record check
Sassuolo returns to Serie A after just one year away, and expectations are clear. Fabio Grosso makes no secret of the fact that staying up is the only goal. A realistic assessment, considering that six to seven teams will be fighting for survival. The Emiliani’s recent form is somewhat mixed. After a narrow 1-0 win over Catanzaro in the first round of the Coppa Italia, they showed efficiency, but the game also revealed the typical characteristics of a Grosso team. Josh Doig’s goal in the 32nd minute was enough, but the encounter was anything but spectacular. Sassuolo have shown some patterns in their last five games that suggest a defensively oriented approach. All games have had fewer than 2.5 goals, which indicates a compact style of play. The contract extension of captain Domenico Berardi until 2029 is an important signal. The 30-year-old remains the central figure and, with over 400 club appearances, a real role model. His assist against Catanzaro once again underlined his importance to the attacking play. However, the possible departure of Laurienté could weaken the offense, even if Grosso emphasizes that reinforcements are on the way.
Fabio Grosso is likely to stick with his tried-and-tested 4-3-3 formation for the season opener against defending champions Napoli. Turati will be between the posts, while Missori, Walukiewicz, Romagna, and Doig could make up the defense. Boloca, Koné, and Thorstvedt are expected to form the midfield. In attack, captain Berardi will play a key role after recently extending his contract until 2029. He could be joined by Pinamonti as the central striker and Laurienté, although the latter is rumored to be on his way out. Ruan is still out with knee problems, which limits the defensive options somewhat.
Napoli Form & Record Check
Napoli are facing a special start to the season under Antonio Conte, although their recent form has been somewhat mixed. The Azzurri have failed to win any of their last four games, managing only two draws. What is particularly striking is that the team failed to get beyond a draw in 75% of the first halves. However, the team suffered its most serious setback away from the pitch. Romelu Lukaku, who was expected to be a key player in Conte’s attacking strategy, is out until December with a thigh injury. This absence is forcing the club’s management to make some frantic moves in the transfer market, with Rasmus Højlund of Manchester United rumored to be the preferred candidate. The defensive stability is certainly cause for optimism. Napoli have remained unbeaten in their last few games, but have also conceded goals on a regular basis. Three of their four games have seen fewer than 2.5 goals, which points to a certain tactical discipline, but also highlights their offensive problems. The signing of Kevin De Bruyne as a free agent should bring fresh impetus to the midfield, but the 34-year-old Belgian must first prove that he still has the necessary punch after his time at Manchester City. The personnel situation is further complicated by Miguel Gutiérrez’s ankle injury.
Antonio Conte is likely to field his preferred 3-4-2-1 formation, with personnel concerns in attack clearly visible. The serious loss of Lukaku, who has suffered a thigh injury and is not expected back until December, is forcing the coach to improvise in attack. In the predicted line-up, Lucca could take the lead up front, supported by De Bruyne and Lang in the attacking midfield positions. Despite his age of 34, the Belgian is expected to play a key role right away. In midfield, the tried-and-tested duo of Lobotka and Anguissa should provide stability, while Di Lorenzo and Olivera will work hard on the wings. The back three of Rrahmani, Buongiorno, and Beukema should provide defensive cover for Meret. Miguel Gutiérrez is out after ankle surgery, further limiting Conte’s options in defense. However, this lineup remains speculative until the official announcement shortly before kickoff.
H2H Sassuolo – Napoli Head-to-head & statistics
The head-to-head record between these teams is clear: Napoli have won all five of their most recent encounters. The most recent encounter in February 2024 ended in a clear 6-1 victory for the Partenopei, which was a foretaste of their dominance. Napoli were already ahead at half-time in each of the five games. Sassuolo failed to get a foothold in any of the first halves and always conceded at least one goal before the break. The goal tally speaks for itself: In the last five encounters, Napoli scored 19 goals, while Sassuolo only found the net twice. Particularly painful were the two 6-1 defeats in Naples in 2022 and the aforementioned debacle in February 2024. One might think that Sassuolo would be a little more stable at home, but they have also suffered heavy defeats at the MAPEI Stadium recently. The 1-6 defeat in February and the 2-0 defeat in February 2023 show that home advantage has not been a factor against this opponent so far.
Our betting tips are based on clear statistical trends and current developments surrounding both teams. The under 2.5 goals tip is backed by impressive statistics: Sassuolo has seen under 2.5 goals in all of its last five games, while Napoli has also stayed under that mark in three of its last four. Berardi’s contract extension until 2029 shows stability for the Sassuolo offense, but without Lukaku, Napoli lacks a central target player. Conte himself emphasizes his team’s humility and talks about “flying low,” an attitude that is often reflected in cautious first performances at the start of the season. The tip for under 1.5 goals at halftime is backed up by similar patterns, as both teams have seen low-scoring first halves in around 80 and 75 percent of their last games, respectively. The bookmakers see Napoli as clear favorites with odds of 1.5, but our analysis of the double chance (draw or Napoli) could well offer value at 4.1 for a draw. Grosso’s Sassuolo have shown that they can “stand up to big teams,” and motivation should be high after their successful return to Serie A.
