Sunshine Derby to see second half bonanza
The Ranieri revolution at Roma has started slowly following their last 16 Champions league exit but the goals will be flowing when Carlo Ancelotti’s Napoli visit the capital this Sunday.
Goals Galore
If there is one thing both these teams do well, it’s finding the net. Both have managed that 52 times this season which puts them in a tie for 3rd in Serie A behind only Juventus (59) and Atalanta (57). If you combine this with both managers positive tactics and a set of in form attackers in Milik and Dzeko, one can expect plenty of goals at the Stadio Olimpico.
Both teams have scored in 80% of the meetings between the sides and 16 of their last 20 games combined. It is the propensity for late goals in both sides that tickles my fancy however.
The majority of goals in Serie A are scored in the 2ndhalf, with the percentage coming in at a staggering 62% this season. Napoli’s usually miserly defence has conceded in each of their last three league games with 50% of those coming in the second period. Roma’s defense has been shambolic for most of the season but their current run see’s 7 consecutive games without a clean sheet, 76% (10/13) of those coming in the last 45 mins.
Manager's View
Claudio Ranieri is under no illusions about the status of his squad should the Italian’s fail to qualify for the Champions League next season. He has been very outspoken on the matter to this press this week, warning his players: ‘’There's a plan in place if Roma get into the Champions League. If we don't, quite a few of these guys could change clubs," he said.
"I can't say if there will be a revolution if Roma don't qualify for the Champions League, but if they don't get the revenue from that competition something will inevitably have to change."
Betting Tip
Both sides are still chasing Champions League qualification and both managers like to play a more attacking style. With the desperation on both ends to secure a win and with 4/5 of their last games featuring BTTS, the play in this game will be both teams to score in the second half at a healthy 15/8 with Paddy Power.
