Napoli followers await Friday with bated breath as bottom-half Cagliari roll into city for a nerve-wracking Serie A finale. All of it comes right down to this for Antonio Conte and his facet after they missed a golden likelihood to lock down a fourth Scudetto within the final spherical.
An uneventful displaying at Stadio Ennio Tardini noticed Napoli share the spoils with newcomers Parma in a disappointing scoreless draw. Conte’s expulsion towards the top of the sport added insult to damage. Nonetheless, Inter’s 2-2 dwelling stalemate in opposition to Lazio supplied them a saving grace.
In any other case, Napoli would’ve entered the ultimate matchday behind the Nerazzurri. This manner, they head into proceedings as pacesetters, boasting an important one-point lead over the reigning champions. Whereas that slender benefit might make all of the distinction, it leaves no room for error.
Because the drama reaches a fever pitch, ex-Napoli ace Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is assured his former facet will ascend the throne. Throughout his current interview with Sky Sport through FCInter1908, the architect of Napoli’s well-known Serie A triumph in 2023 said the Partenopei ‘will win the title.’
Nonetheless, there’s no room for complacency, with Cagliari seeking to spoil one other celebratory summer time in Naples. With top-flight survival within the bag, Davide Nicola’s males arrive at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona with nothing to lose. Certainly, the guests don’t have anything however delight left to play for, probably spelling bother for Napoli’s lofty ambitions.
Match Preview
Napoli
The Maradona Stadium has been a fortress, with Napoli final shedding a house league match in early December. They’ve since launched into a formidable ten-game unbeaten dwelling streak in Serie A (W7, D3), although their most up-to-date outing in Naples yielded a stomach-wrenching 2-2 draw in opposition to Genoa.
That outcome affords a be aware of warning, regardless that the hosts don’t have to win in any respect prices to raise the title. Como could still do them a favor in another Friday-held encounter against Inter. Nonetheless, Conte, although he received’t be within the dugout, would recognize victory for the sake of thoughts. And Napoli are completely positioned to just do that.
Conte’s males have bagged at the least two targets of their final 5 dwelling league video games, scooping up 4 wins in that interval (D1). Moreover, they’re on a promising-looking eight-game unbeaten run in opposition to Cagliari (W5, D3), together with a thumping 4-0 triumph in September’s reverse fixture.
Cagliari
Recent off avoiding relegation with a sport to spare, Cagliari head to Naples relieved of stress. Nicola’s costs begin the ultimate spherical in 14th, and that’s the ceiling of their ambitions, contemplating they can not end any larger than that even when they win.
Victory appears like a extremely unlikely state of affairs. Certainly, the Sardinians have solely taken one win throughout their final 14 visits to Napoli’s dwelling floor (D4, L9). Due to this fact, it’s exhausting to think about them ending a Serie A season with a win for the primary time since 2017/18.
Including to this sentiment, Cagliari have received simply considered one of their final league matches on the highway (D3, L5), courtesy of a 2-0 triumph at Hellas Verona. That underwhelming run contains defeats to Napoli’s fellow top-five rivals Inter and Roma, portray a bleak image for the visiting followers.
Group Information
Along with long-term absentee Juan Jesus, Napoli can not depend on standout midfielder Stanislav Lobotka. It means Billy Gilmour ought to begin once more. He’ll probably line up alongside his extra esteemed countryman, Scott McTominay, who’s on target to grow to be a brand new fan favourite.
Alternatively, Cagliari will probably take this journey with out Zito Luvumbo and Gianluca Gaetano. However long-serving striker Leonardo Pavoletti returns from suspension and can in all probability deputy for Roberto Piccoli, who hit double digits for the season in a 3-0 rout of Venezia final weekend.
Napoli vs Cagliari Potential Beginning Line-ups
Napoli (4-4-2): Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Olivera, Spinazzola; Politano, Anguissa, Gilmour, McTominay; Raspadori, Lukaku.
Cagliari (3-5-1-1): Caprile; Zappa, Mina, Luperto; Zortea, Deiola, Makoumbou, Adopo, Augello; Viola; Piccoli.
Napoli vs Cagliari Prediction
Napoli haven’t misplaced their remaining league sport of the season since 2018/19 (W3, D2), and it’s exhausting to see that run finish on Friday. Strangers issues have occurred, however the Partenopei ought to sweep the ground with Cagliari and rejoice their second league title in three years in model.
Prediction: Napoli to Win
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