Serie A Preview: Napoli vs Como – Team News, Line-ups & Prediction | OneFootball

Napoli continue their Serie A title defense at home as they take on early-season surprise package Como on Saturday evening. Stadio Diego Armando Maradona forms the backdrop for only the third top-flight meeting between the sides in the 21st century.

Napoli ran out 3-1 victors in this corresponding fixture last term, with Scott McTominay scoring a first-minute opener. That was his first goal for the club, and little did anyone know the Scottish star would soon become one of Napoli’s standout stars, not to mention last season’s Serie A MVP award winner.

However, Napoli would be naive to take Como for granted, especially after slumping to a 2-1 defeat in the most recent clash at Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia in February. The Partenopei will, nonetheless, take the field in high spirits. Antonio Conte’s men have bounced back from a heartbreaking 1-0 loss at Torino with three consecutive wins in all competitions.

Following a controversial 3-1 triumph over direct Scudetto rivals Inter in their last home league outing, Napoli squeezed past Lecce in midweek Serie A action to retain their spot at the table’s summit. Yet, they sit level on points with Roma and could go three points clear with another win here, though it would only last until tomorrow.

Como will not make Napoli’s life easy by any means. Cesc Fabregas’ charges have gone from strength to strength in the early stages of the season, suffering just one defeat in the opening nine Serie A rounds (W4, D4). The Lariani received the ultimate confidence booster ahead of this trip as they thumped Hellas Verona 3-1 on Wednesday to move within striking distance of the top four.

Match Preview

Napoli

The Maradona Stadium has been a fortress this season, with Napoli winning all five competitive matches here despite keeping just one clean sheet. Since a 1-0 win over Cagliari in their first home league game of the campaign, Conte’s men have gone four consecutive home fixtures without a shutout.

However, that victory forms part of Napoli’s five-game winning Serie A streak in Naples. As such, they could make it six wins on the trot for the first time since February 2023. Despite Como’s scintillating form, there’s no reason to think otherwise, particularly considering Napoli’s indomitable home record.

Indeed, the hosts boast a jaw-dropping 16-match unbeaten home run in all competitions (W13, D3), making the Maradona one of the most intimidating hostile venues in European football. Too hot to handle after the break, Napoli spiced up their last three home league victories with two second-half goals.

It’s worth noting that Conte’s well-oiled scoring machine faltered at Lecce on Tuesday, scoring from one of their mere two shots on target. Rasmus Hojlund’s absence was in part to blame, as Napoli lacked the Dane’s presence in the box. But the Manchester United loanee will be available tonight.

Como

Inspired by one of Europe’s hottest prospects, Nico Paz, Como have enjoyed a brilliant start to the season. The visitors head into proceedings on the back of seven successive league games without losing (W3, D4), while they also thrashed Sassuolo 3-0 in Coppa Italia action during that outstanding sequence.

Unbeaten since the beginning of September, Fabregas’ side eased past Verona in midweek to bounce back from an uneventful scoreless draw at Parma on their most recent Serie A road trip. Despite dropping two points at the Tardini Stadium, Como consolidated their upturn in away form.

The Lariani have now lost just one of their last eight matches on hostile turf (W4, D3). However, Como’s 2-1 triumph over Fiorentina a month ago remains their only away win of the season so far (D2, L1). Omionusly, Ferbregas’ team failed to open the scoring in each of those four matches.

On the bright side, Como have established themselves as one of Serie A’s most resilient defenses this season, conceding only six times in the opening nine rounds.

Team News

In addition to Hojlund’s recovery, Conte has welcomed first-choice center-back Amir Rrahmani back to full training. Meanwhile, star striker Romelu Lukaku and former Manchester City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne remain on the sidelines. The same applies to Italian goalkeeper Alex Meret.

On the other hand, Como will be without Alberto Dossena and Sergi Roberto, with Lucas Da Cunha expected to take his place in the midfield. Summer signing Alvaro Morata will likely get the nod in attack ahead of Tasos Douvikas.

Napoli vs Como Potential Starting Line-ups

Napoli (4-3-3): Milinkovic-Savic; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Buongiorno, Spinazzola; Anguissa, Gilmour, McTominay; Politano, Hojlund, Neres.

Como (4-2-3-1): Butez; Posch, Carlos, Ramon, Valle; Perrone, Da Cunha; Kuhn, Paz, Rodriguez; Morata.

Napoli vs Como Prediction

Napoli cannot expect to have a walk in the park against one of the division’s best-performing defensive sides. Furthermore, Como proved they can cope with Serie A’s elite with a 2-0 home win over Juventus a fortnight ago. However, we expect a different scenario tonight, backing the hosts to claim a narrow victory.