Napoli are at the top of the Serie A table heading into matchday 12. The Partenopei are level on points with AC Milan and could open up a three point lead this weekend with a win over Hellas Verona.
AC Milan face off with Inter Milan in the Derby della Madonnina on Sunday night. If the Rossoneri drop points, then Napoli will strengthen their early claim as potential Serie A champions.
Hellas Verona could play spoiler on Sunday afternoon when they meet Napoli. Igor Tudor’s Verona are unbeaten in three straight matches.
Since Tudor took over the reins of Hellas Verona from Eusebio Di Francesco in September and has turned the side into a difficult to defeat team.
This is a tricky fixture for Napoli. They dropped points against Hellas Verona last season. Hellas Verona took four points from six on offer last season. They got a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona last term.
Napoli took 16 points from the last 18 on offer in Serie A. They conceded a mere one goal while scoring nine times. Napoli played in the Europa League in midweek claiming a 4-1 win versus Legia Warsaw.
Luciano Spalletti has transformed the team this season. Although AC Milan are within touching distance of Napoli, the southern team has seven points separating them from third-place Inter Milan.
Hellas Verona took 11 points from the last 18 on offer in the league. They outscored opponents 16-9. The Gialloblu had Serie A’s third-best form points total over the course of their last six games.
Napoli are perfect this season with 15 points from 15 on offer at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. They have conceded a mere one goal while scoring 10 times.
Hellas Verona’s away form has let themselves down this season. The Gialloblu has tallied a mere three goals from 15 on offer away from home in Serie A. All three points have come from draws. They have been outscored by opponents 10-8 away from home.
Spalletti will be without centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly due to a suspension. Forwards Lorenzo Insigne and Victor Osimhen are both major doubts due to injuries. Konstantinos Manolas and Kevin Malcuit are both doubts to play as well.
Injuries could play a part in Sunday’s game, but Napoli should come through with a win at full-time.
Hellas Verona have struggled for points on the road and Napoli should pull off a win with over 2.5 goals scored. Napoli’s win should put pressure on AC Milan and Inter Milan, who play later in the day.