As the anticipation builds for the highly awaited Serie A clash between Napoli and Roma, all eyes will be on the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona this Sunday. This match marks a significant moment for both clubs, with Napoli currently leading the league and Roma undergoing a managerial change that could reshape their season.
Claudio Ranieri has returned to manage Roma for a third time, stepping in after a disappointing spell under Ivan Juric. The decision to bring Ranieri back was driven by the need to stabilize a team that has struggled significantly, suffering four losses in their last five league matches. The Giallorossi’s recent form has been concerning, with back-to-back defeats against Hellas Verona and Bologna, prompting the club’s hierarchy to seek a change in leadership. Ranieri, who had previously retired after successfully guiding Cagliari to safety last season, now faces the daunting task of revitalizing a squad that currently sits in 12th place in Serie A.
In contrast, Napoli enter this fixture as league leaders under the guidance of Antonio Conte. Despite their strong position at the top of the table, Napoli’s lead has shrunk to just one point following a recent draw against Inter Milan. This match represents an opportunity for Napoli to assert their dominance and resume their pursuit of the Scudetto after a brief dip in form. Historically, Napoli have performed well against Roma at home, remaining unbeaten in their last six encounters at Stadio Maradona, which adds to their confidence going into this derby.
Team News
In terms of team news, Roma faces challenges with key players. Paulo Dybala is likely to be sidelined due to persistent muscular issues, which significantly impacts Roma’s performance given his importance to the squad. Artem Dovbyk, however, is expected to start despite dealing with a knee problem. The absence of other players due to injuries further complicates Ranieri’s task.
On the other hand, Napoli boasts a nearly full-strength squad. Romelu Lukaku will spearhead their attack and has been instrumental in previous matches against Roma, contributing significantly to their offensive play. The midfield may see Stanislav Lobotka return to action, providing stability and creativity.
Expected Starting XIs
Napoli: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Buongiorno, Olivera; Anguissa, Lobotka, McTominay; Politano, Lukaku, Kvaratskhelia
Roma: Svilar; Celik, Mancini, Ndicka, Angelino; Kone, Cristante; Soule, Pellegrini, El Shaarawy; Dovbyk
Match Prediction
As both teams prepare for this pivotal encounter in the Derby del Sole—often referred to as the ‘Derby of the Sun’ due to their shared Mediterranean heritage—expectations are high for an intense and competitive match. Given Roma’s current disarray and Napoli’s solid form at home, predictions lean towards a narrow victory for the Partenopei. A scoreline of Napoli 1 – 0 Roma seems plausible as Napoli looks to reestablish their dominance and maintain their title challenge while Roma seeks stability under Ranieri’s leadership.
Prediction: Napoli 1-0 Roma
