Serie A: Napoli Raring to Extend Perfect Record Over SPAL

S.P.A.L. vs Napoli

Napoli no longer appear to be Juventus’ top Serie A challenger. The Neapolitans, who have finished second to Juve in each of the last two seasons, currently find themselves in fourth, six points behind the leaders and behind both Inter Milan and Atalanta.

Napoli haven’t helped themselves as they’ve dropped points to teams they really should be beating, which has dealt a blow to their Serie A 2019 odds to win the title.

Anything less than three points in their next match against SPAL will be completely unacceptable. I Biancazzurri have had a very difficult season thus far and currently find themselves in the relegation zone.

Napoli will look to capitalise on SPAL’s struggles and extend their unbeaten run against them.

Talking Points

SPAL still struggling

SPAL’s struggles this season continue. Their Serie A 2019 results have not been pretty as they’ve lost six of their first eight matches while scoring just six goals in the process. As a result, they are currently in 18th place with six points and figure to be in a relegation battle this season.

They picked up a much-needed win against high-flying Parma the previous week. But they were unable to build off of that result as they fell 2-0 to Cagliari. They were on the receiving end of Radja Nainggolan’s stunning strike, which is a prime candidate for goal of the season.

Andrea Petagna scored in their 1-0 win over Parma. Petagna has played a part in four of the team’s six goals thus far, scoring three and setting up one. But aside from him, the team is just lacking in other reliable attacking options.

But if they are going to get a positive result, it is most likely going to be at home. Both of their wins this season — over Lazio and Parma — have come at the Stadio Paolo Mazza. They also gave Atalanta quite a scare; they were up two goals before giving up three unanswered to eventually lose, 3-2.

Serie A: Lorenzo Insigne's goal earned Napoli a win against RB Salzburg — Lorenzo Insigne celebrates Napoli’s third goal scoring RB Salzburg

Napoli in need of consistency

Napoli are seemingly starting to turn things around. After back-to-back goalless draws against Genk and Torino, they’ve come back with back-to-back victories against Verona and, most recently, RB Salzburg in the Champions League in midweek. Those results have extended their current unbeaten run to five matches (three wins, two draws).

Arkadiusz Milik, who has seen his appearances in Serie A limited this season, bagged both goals in their 2-0 win over Verona last weekend.

And despite the best efforts of teenage sensation Erling Braut Haaland, who bagged a brace, Napoli came out on top in their Champions League clash against Salzburg. Dries Mertens got a brace of his own, while captain Lorenzo Insigne scored the winner just moments after Haaland’s equaliser.

But Napoli have struggled to find much consistency in Serie A this season. A loss to Cagliari and a draw away to struggling Torino have cost them ground in the title chase.

However, it’s hard to see them having any problems against SPAL. With the likes of Mertens, Insigne, Arkadiusz Milik, Jose Callejon, Fabian Ruiz, and Hirving Lozano, they should just have too much firepower against a SPAL side struggling for goals.

After giving up six goals in their first two matches, Napoli have shored things up a bit at the back. They’ve given up just four goals over their last six matches and should have few problems against SPAL’s struggling attack.

History

SPAL and Napoli have squared off against one another just four times in total since SPAL have only been in Serie A for a couple of years.

Unsurprisingly, Napoli have dominated the matchup, winning all four matches. They’ve won both home games, 1-0, while their matches at the Stadio Paolo Mazza have been a bit more high scoring.

SPAL gave Napoli a good fight in last season’s fixture. They equalised with a Petagna penalty, only for Mario Rui to score a winner just a couple minutes from time.

Betting Tip

	SPAL vs Napoli	Napoli Asian Handicap -1.50 @ 2.29
	October 27, 22:00 (GMT+8)

Napoli are the favourites at 1.46 according to the SBOBET odds, with SPAL priced at 6.60 to win on the 1X2 market and a draw at 4.30.

I fully expect Napoli to win this match, but there’s not as much value in the 1X2 market. That’s why I’m turning instead to the Asian handicap.

All four of SPAL’s last four losses have come by two goals. Napoli and all their attacking talent are more than capable of scoring a few goals past them and go on to record a comfortable victory.