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Remind me next time

Napoli will host Roma on Sunday night in Serie A’s headline game of the weekend. Roma have quietly climbed up the table to third place. They are just three points off of first-place AC Milan. A win and AC Milan loss to Fiorentina at the weekend would see Roma pull level at the top of the standings.

Gennaro Gattuso’s Napoli are in sixth place heading into matchday 9. They have lost two of their last three games in the league, including last weekend’s huge showdown with AC Milan. The Rossoneri were able to win 3-1 against Napoli, denting the Partenopei’s chances of a title fight this term.

As it stands, the Serie A table is wide open with the possibility of Juventus losing their grip on the title. Since sacking Massimiliano Allegri in 2019, Juventus have looked captain-less and only took home the Scudetto last term thanks to other teams’ shortcomings. If Roma can get hot and win against Napoli, they will need to be taken seriously in the title race.

Roma are unbeaten in six straight games in Serie A. Their last three matches all ended in wins as they outscored opponents 8-1. Can Roma continue their winning streak versus Napoli away from home?

Napoli vs Roma Betting Odds

Napoli go into the game at odds to win the match of 11/9. Leading sportsbooks will note that last season’s games were both won by the home team. Roma have not won in the San Paolo since the 2017-18 season. They claimed a 4-2 victory that season.

Napoli won 2-1 at home in 2019-20 when these side met in July. Jose Callejon opened the scoring for Napoli but Roma’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan equalised five minutes later. With time running out, Lorenzo Insigne scored the winner in the 82nd minute. All three goals came in the second half.

Roma are at odds of 9/4 to claim a win away at the San Paolo. The Giallorossi have not won on their last two trips to the stadium. In fact, Roma have lost four of their last seven games against Napoli. Only two of those matches ended in a Roma win while one finished in a draw.

Speaking of draws, leading sportsbooks have this game at odds of 20/7 to finish as a draw. Only two of the last 10 matches between Napoli and Roma ended in draws.

Napoli have lost back-to-back home matches. Second-place Sassuolo and first-place AC Milan won those games at the San Paolo. Roma, on the other hand, are unbeaten in three straight league games, taking seven points from nine.

Napoli vs Roma Team News

Gattuso will be without defensive midfielder Tiemoué Bakayoko due to a red card suspension. Bakayoko was considered a major flop at Chelsea but has rebound with Napoli since arriving at the Italian club. Two players will miss the match for the home side due to positive COVID-19 tests. Amir Rrahmani and Elseid Hysaj tested positive for COVID-19 keeping them out of the fixture as they self-isolate.

Summer signing Victor Osimhen is ruled out of the game as well through injury. He has struggled to stay fit and play for Napoli since arriving for big money from Lille. Napoli are coming off of a 2-0 win in the Europa League on Thursday night versus Rijeka. The win put Napoli at the top of their group.

According to reports on Friday, Napoli are preparing for a fire sale of players in January. In spite of last season’s cup win and their performance this term, players have gone four months without pay due to COVID-19 related financial issues. Napoli may be forced to sell their top players to survive.

Roma manager Paulo Fonseca has a number of injuries going into the game. Roger Ibanez, Chris Smalling, Davide Santon, and Nicolo Zaninolo are all out due to injuries. Meanwhile, Marasha Kumbulla and Pietro Boer are ruled out after positive COVID-19 tests.

Napoli vs Roma Prediction

Both teams to score - BET NOW

The last five Serie A games between Napoli and Roma ended with both teams finding the back of the net. The two long-time rivals have had no issue with scoring against each other. Three of Roma’s last five games in the league ended with both teams scoring goals. They have scored 19 times while allowing 11 to opponents. Three of Napoli’s last five games also finished with both teams scoring goals.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan to score anytime - BET NOW

Roma attacking midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan has found new life at Roma. He has scored five goals and added four assists in eight appearances for Roma. Fonseca has deployed the former Manchester United player as a false 9, giving him the chance to connect the attack and score goals. All five of Mkhitaryan’s goals have come in his last two games. He bagged a hat-trick against Genoa and two versus Parma.

Over 2.5 goals - BET NOW

Six of the last eight Serie A games between Napoli and Roma finished with over 2.5 goals scored. Sunday night’s game should be another high-scoring game. Both matches in 2019-20 finished with identical 2-1 scorelines. The home team won both games, but that trend should change this time out. Roma are in form and the better team going into the game. Both clubs won on Thursday night in the Europa League, so they have those confidence-boosting wins going for them.

Napoli’s players have not been paid in four months, according to reports. That is bound to take its toll on them soon. The Partenopei could start to fall apart as their top players are likely to be sold in January to the highest bidder.

Four of Roma’s last five games in Serie A ended with over 2.5 goals scored. That trend should also continue as the Giallorossi claim another big three points and crack the 20-point mark. AC Milan host Fiorentina at the weekend. A loss to the Viola and Roma win, and the two sides would be level on points.

Napoli vs Roma Tips

Here are our Napoli vs Roma betting tips and predictions for Sunday's Serie A match at the San Paulo Stadium.

1. Both teams to score @ 8/15

2. Henrikh Mkhitaryan to score anytime @ 13/5

3. Over 2.5 goals @ 57/100

Napoli vs Roma Betting Tips