In one of the most attractive fixtures across the major European leagues this weekend, Roma play host to Napoli in a top six clash in Serie A with both teams vying for one of the coveted top four spots in the domestic top flight which will guarantee Champions League football next season.
Roma gained success in the Europa League in midweek by winning 2-1 away from home at Ukrainian outfit, Shakhtar Donetsk, in the 2nd leg of their tie which Roma won 5-1 on aggregate and the hosts will be in confident mood for this upcoming encounter with Napoli on Sunday.
On the domestic front, Roma’s top four aspirations took a dent last weekend when they were handed a 2-0 defeat away from home at Parma and indeed, recent results have produced mixed returns for Roma who have won just three of their last seven matches overall.
Form at their Stadio Olimpico though has been impressive, losing just once in their 14 matches and picking up 10 wins in the process (only Inter Milan with 11 wins have won more at home).
On the other hand, 10 of Roma’s 14 home matches have also produced three goals or more.
Onto Napoli and the visitors picked up a third win in four matches last weekend with an excellent 1-0 win away at AC Milan to keep them in the frame for a possible top four finish and they too will be in confident mood as they approach this important clash on Sunday.
Previous wins against Benevento and Bologna will also serve as a timely boost for Napoli.
Although, it’s worth noting that the visitors have won only one of their last five matches on their travels in Serie A, losing three of these at Hellas Verona 3-1, Genoa 2-1 and Atalanta 4-2 respectively.
After winning their first four away matches on the trot at the start of the season, Napoli have since struggled to maintain that excellent burst of momentum.
They’ve won just a further three games in their subsequent nine matches thereafter.
This therefore makes the goal markets appealing, especially as eight of Napoli’s 13 away matches have also produced over 2.5 goals along with keeping just four clean sheets on the road so far this season.
In addition, each of the previous four meetings between Roma and Napoli have resulted in over 2.5 goals and this trend looks set to continue on Sunday with a possible top four position up for grabs.