7M - Match Preview: Napoli vs. Roma - Predictions, Team News, Lineups

On Sunday evening, reigning champions Napoli will host Roma in the latest edition of the Derby del Sole at Stadio Maradona, with both teams vying for a top-four finish in Serie A.

Match Preview

Following their midweek cup exit, Napoli enters the match knowing that another defeat could allow Roma to level points with them. Coach Antonio Conte has experienced a disappointing stint in European competitions but is determined to secure all three domestic trophies during his tenure in Naples.

Despite winning the Scudetto last season and claiming the Supercoppa Italiana in December, Napoli faced a setback when they were eliminated from the Coppa Italia by Como in a dramatic penalty shootout. The defeat has intensified their focus on securing a top-four spot in Serie A.

Napoli, currently holding third place, has recently tightened their grip on the standings with back-to-back wins. Following a tense home victory against Fiorentina, they managed to edge out Genoa in a challenging away match last week. Despite an early deficit, they came back to secure a victory, bolstered by a controversial late penalty from Rasmus Hojlund.

Unbeaten in 22 Serie A home games, their best streak since the late 1980s, Napoli aims to replicate their earlier victory against Roma this season. The hosts will look to improve on their record against the capital club, who have won only one of their last 12 league encounters with Napoli and have not won in Naples since 2017.

Roma, however, can pull level on points with Napoli after a recent revival. They snapped a three-game winless streak by defeating in-form Cagliari at Stadio Olimpico, thanks to a brace from Donyell Malen. With 46 points from 24 matches, this is Roma's best performance at this stage in eight years, and they maintain a strong defensive record, having conceded just 14 goals—the fewest in Italy's top flight.

Under the guidance of Gian Piero Gasperini, Roma's disciplined approach has prevented them from conceding a penalty this season, positioning them well for a return to the Champions League. Yet, they have struggled against top opposition, securing only one point in five matches against Serie A's leading teams.

Potential Lineups

Napoli:

Milinkovic-Savic; Beukema, Rrahmani, Buongiorno; Politano, Lobotka, McTominay, Spinazzola; Vergara, Elmas; Hojlund

Roma:

Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Ghilardi; Celik, Cristante, Pisilli, Wesley; Soule, Dybala; Malen

Prediction: Napoli 1-1 Roma

We predict a 1-1 draw between Napoli and Roma. The encounter could evolve into a tactical stalemate between two strategic masters, resulting in a low-scoring match. While Roma rarely concede more than once, Napoli has struggled to keep clean sheets recently, suggesting that both teams may leave Stadio Maradona with a point apiece.