Roma vs Napoli: Match preview, head-to-head, team news, key players | OneFootball

Roma face Napoli in the Serie A at Stadio Olimpico on Sunday evening, hoping to consolidate their position atop the standings.

Roma defeated Cremonese 3-1 in their last league fixture, becoming outright table-toppers after the last matchday, with Inter Milan losing 1-0 to AC Milan.

Napoli also won 3-1 at home against Atalanta to sit joint-second on the table, two points adrift of Roma.

Match preview

Roma are enjoying their best start to a league campaign in a decade. The last time they were outright table-toppers was after matchday 10 in the 2015/2016 season.

The Giallorossi have not been prolific, ranking sixth for goals scored (15), but boast a strong defence, conceding just six goals, the fewest in the division.

However, they have struggled against the league’s biggest teams, losing to Inter and Milan. Beating Napoli would send a message that they can compete against the heavyweights.

Roma will look to Napoli’s shaky defence, which have conceded 11 goals (seven from open play), but they also need to be wary of the defending champions’ attack.

Napoli, meanwhile, have kept themselves in the title race, despite injuries to star striker Romelu Lukaku and summer signing Kevin De Bruyne.

They rank third for goals scored (19), but have shown defensive vulnerabilities that must be sorted if they are to retain the title.

Napoli can exploit Roma’s struggles against counterattacks, as the hosts have conceded three goals from such attacks, the second-highest in the league.

Head-to-head

Both sides have contested 178 matches; Roma have won 66, Napoli have won 54, and the remaining 58 games ended in draws.

Team news

Artem Dovbyk and Angelino are sidelined for Roma, while Neil El Aynaoui and Manu Kone are doubts.

For Napoli, Frank Anguissa, Billy Gilmour, and Miguel Gutierrez join Lukaku and De Bruyne on the sidelines.

Key players

Roma

Matias Soule: Leads the squad for most goals (four) and assists (two).

Mile Svilar: One of the league’s best shot-stoppers this term, ranking second for goals prevented.

Napoli

Scott McTominay: The division’s best player last term has four goal involvements so far.

Matteo Politano: Has created more big chances and completed more dribbles than any Napoli player.

Stats from transfermarkt.com & sofascore.com