Serie A: Roma Test for Runaway Leaders 

Napoli vs AS Roma

Napoli host Roma at the Stadio Diego Maradona on Sunday in the match of the weekend. It’s a chance for the chasing pack to close the gap a little, or for rampant Napoli to keep the Scudetto bandwagon rolling.    

Luciano Spalletti’s Napoli have been by far the best side in Serie A this season and when they returned after the World Cup break they faced a serious test of character which, so far, they have passed with flying colours by taking nine points from four difficult games and they are about to face another serious test of their title credentials.   

Roma head coach Jose Mourinho is a tactical master and he loves a big game, and his team is in fine form on a run of five wins from the last six, putting them nicely in the frame for a Champions League push.

Both teams come into the game with a 2-0 away win, Napoli away to Salernitana and Roma at Spezia.    

The very latest Serie A 2023 betting odds have the Partenopei nailed on for a first Scudetto since 1990 at odds of 1.08. And with a 12-point lead over second-placed Milan, it is Napoli’s to lose. 

Talking Points

Napoli have the eye of the tiger

And Spalletti’s team look in no mood to let anyone else have a look in as they home in on the Scudetto. Napoli are only the sixth team in history to tot up 50 points by the halfway stage of a Serie A campaign and it is a club record for the Partenopei.

On returning from the World Cup break, they recovered from their 1-0 defeat to Inter Milan with three resounding wins, the highlight being a 5-1 thrashing of Juventus.

The subsequent deduction of 15 points from Juve for transfer irregularities has dumped the Old Lady out of the title race, leaving the two Milan clubs as the only real contenders and they both have a mountain to climb.  

With 13 goals from 15 games, striker Victor Osimhen is having the season of his life and he is one of the hottest properties in European football. He’s committed his immediate future to Naples but that won’t stop speculation of a move in the summer, with Premier League club Manchester United said to be monitoring the situation.

But for now, Osimhen is a Blue and he is all but certain to better his tally from last season of 14 maybe even this weekend!     

Roma’s wall of defiance  

Roma are in Champions League contention, sitting fifth in the table but level on points with Lazio and Inter Milan on 37.  

And while they boast some real flair players in their ranks, it is the defence which has excelled recently, keeping six cleans sheets in the last seven games, in all competitions.

Mourinho has former Manchester United player Chris Smalling and Nemanja Matic in his ranks. Smalling is a vastly experienced centre-half while Matic is still one of the best defencive midfielders in the business.

Captained by full-back Gianluca Mancini, this is a tough unit to break down and Smalling, along with his central defence partner Roger Ibanez, will relish a battle with Osimhen.     

Roma’s attack has been sparked to life by the addition of Paulo Dybala, who has scored seven goals and two in the last two games against Spezia and Fiorentina while assisting both other goals in the 2-0 victories. 

In other Serie A 2023 news, Roma attacking midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo has been the subject of transfer speculation again with Premier League strugglers Bournemouth the latest club making an enquiry for the 23-year-old.

But Mourinho is playing hard ball and will only let his player go if a buying club meets his valuation. Zaniolo may have a place on the bench against Napoli but is highly unlikely to start. 

History

With 20 wins to 15, Roma have edged the head-to-head meetings over the past three decades, though Napoli won the return match in October 1-0 thanks to an Osimhen strike, while Roma have failed to win at the Stadio Diego Maradona on their last four visits.

And Roma boss Mourinho has won only one of his six dugout dues with Spalletti, that coming back in October when he coached Inter Milan to a win over Roma managed by Spalletti at the time. 

But Roma have been very strong away from home this season with six wins, three draws and a single defeat, while Napoli have been devastating at home, winning eight and drawing one of their nine league fixtures in Naples.

Betting Tip

Napoli are at SBOTOP odds of 1.71 to win and 3.44 to draw, with Roma out there at 4.55.

I think Napoli will edge this and I back the hosts to breach the Roma rearguard and, for an outside bet, 2-1 is at odds of 6.56 for the correct scoreline. 

 

●●●

CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS

Stay updated with everything sports and betting.

Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.