Napoli are unbeaten in eight straight games in all competitions. Luciano Spalletti’s team is coming off of an impressive 1-1 Europa League last 16 playoff first leg draw with Barcelona at Camp Nou.
The Partenopei led for much of the game, but Barcelona received a penalty in the second half to draw level. Meanwhile, Napoli were denied what looked like a penalty late in the game.
Before Napoli welcome Barcelona to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona for the second leg next week, they will visit Cagliari in Serie A.
Napoli are third in the division and two points off of first-place AC Milan. A win over the Islanders on Monday could see Napoli leapfrog both Milan clubs in the table.
Cagliari have improved in recent months. The Islanders are unbeaten in three straight games. They sit 17th in the division and are only outside the bottom three due to head-to-head points versus Venezia.
Walter Mazzarri’s team could either move further away from the bottom three or be sucked back into this weekend. Venezia play a six-point game with Genoa on Sunday. A win or draw would put added pressure onto Cagliari.
Napoli drew 1-1 with Inter Milan last weekend. The top of the table clash saw Napoli lead for much of the game before Inter Milan got a goal back to draw the fixture. Napoli are Serie A’s in-form team.
The Partenopei started the season well before dipping. They are now back in form having taken 14 points from the last 18 points available. Cagliari took 11 points from the last 18 points available. Their good form makes this a tricky fixture for Napoli.
Mazzarri has several players on the Cagliari injured list. Andrea Carboni and Matteo Lovato are both ruled out of the fixture. Damir Ceter, Kevin Strootman, Walukiewicz, and Marko Rog are all doubts to make the team.
Spalletti will be without defender Axel Tuanzebe due to a back injury. Stanislav Lobotka has a muscle strain and is ruled out. Forwards Matteo Politano and Hirving Lozano are both set to miss the game due to injuries as well.
Napoli are unbeaten in 19 of their last 20 matches in all competitions versus Cagliari. Fifteen of those 19 matches unbeaten finished as wins for Napoli. Napoli claimed a 2-0 win earlier this season against Cagliari.
Victor Osimhen scored in the first period and Lorenzo Insigne scored from the penalty spot in the second half. Napoli should ease to victory once more and potentially move into first place in Serie A.