Southern giants clash as Napoli host Roma

Napoli take on Roma on Sunday night as the two biggest clubs in southern Italy clash with both chasing Champions League football. Can Roma maintain their slender advantage? Have a read of our preview here:

Dzeko still Roma’s brightest spark

Edin Dzeko’s brace in the win against Sampdoria proved he is still key to any success the Giallorossi may have despite now being 33.

He scored with two sublime finishes to win the game and keep Roma in the hunt for a Champions League spot as they hunt down those above them.

They would have been in that top-four if it wasn’t for a terrible run of form that lasted from January until late February and saw them lose five times in seven Serie A outings.

The defeat last weekend to AC Milan has also now opened the door for the Rossoneri to get back in the race for a Champions League spot. A lot can change over before the season end with games coming thick and fast.

Roma face a must-win game at home to Udinese before they take on Napoli at the San Paolo in a crunch match up for both sides. The Giallorossi remain in the driving seat, but only just.

Off the pace for Napoli

It was largely expected that Napoli would be Juve’s biggest threat to the title this season but that has turned out not to be the case.

Carlo Ancelotti’s dismissal is just one drama in a campaign that has been littered with distractions for the Partenopei. They are still able to qualify for the Champions League but are considered long shots.

Genaro Gattuso has done well to steady the ship and their Coppa Italia win over Juventus was massive for a club starved of silverware, yet the Scudetto remains just out of reach.

The news that Dries Mertens will be staying in Naples is great news, the Belgian star is the club’s record goal scorer while being a talisman for the team.

They need to improve for next season, but the core group of Kostas Manolas, Lorenzo Insigne and Hirving Lozano still remain to build around.

This campaign is certainly not over yet and a win on Sunday could swing the momentum back in Napoli’s favour…watch this space.

Napoli v Roma betting tip

Both teams need to win but Napoli’s need is greater with Roma likely to be happy with a point. There is not a lot between the two sides in both quality and points, but we think the home side might edge it. That’s why we are backing Napoli to win at odds of 2.2 with bet365 in this one.

Bet Napoli to win on Bet365