Serie A: Viola Next for Eager Napoli

Napoli vs Fiorentina

Napoli continue their assault on the 2021/22 Serie A title on Sunday when they welcome Fiorentina to the Stadio Diego Maradona for a tasty battle with three more crucial points at stake. 

At second in the league table, Gli Azzurri are perfectly poised for the run-in just a point behind leaders Milan and with a better goal difference, which could prove vital in one of the most exciting title races for many a year.

Napoli come into the game on the back of a huge win away to Atalanta, while Vincenzo Italiano’s Fiorentina had a narrow victory at home to Empoli.

Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti will lead his side into this game determined for a win which the SBOTOP odds of 1.75 tell us should be the outcome. But with the draw at 3.40 and a 4.36 on offer for a Fiorentina win, this is not a foregone conclusion.

Every point counts and eighth-placed Fiorentina will fight for the full 90 minutes.

Talking Points

Captain Insigne is chasing the Scudetto

In his last season in Naples, Lorenzo Insigne is desperate to bring the Scudetto to his beloved club where he has played throughout his sparkling career. He’s banging in form with four goals and two assists in the last eight games to make in 93 goals and 72 assists in Serie A.

Torino’s gain will be Napoli’s loss, but Insigne will say goodbye fondly if he can pick up that prized Scudetto. As chasers for so long, this could be the year that Napoli could finally be the kings.

As a winner at Euro 2020, his experience of the big games will be crucial in the run-in as he showed in the impressive 3-1 victory over La Dea, coolly converting a penalty to set the Azzurri on their way.

The skipper will line up alongside another old hand at the big games in Dries Mertens and there could be a return for striker Victor Osimhen, who scored a brace in a recent 2-1 win over Udinese but missed the Atalanta game as he picked up a late yellow card. 

The very latest Serie A 2022 betting odds make the title race a three-horse race between Milan, NapoIi, and Scudetto holders Inter, while Juventus have made a late run and Bianconeri fans are dreaming of a spectacular return to the top. All three of Napoli’s rivals have tough tests this weekend – Milan away to Torino, Juventus in Cagliari, and Inter at home to Hellas Verona. 

Insigne has made more than his fair share of Serie A 2022 highlights this season but that’s nothing new. and he’ll lead his team into seven ‘finals’ in the coming weeks, starting with La Viola.  

Without Vlahovic, do Fiorentina have teeth?

La Viola are still in the hunt for a European place but there is no denying that without the departed Dusan Vlahovic, they have lost some momentum.

Argentina hitman Nicolas Gonzalez stepped up to score the winner over Empoli and Jonathan Ikone, a 14-M Euro capture from Ligue 1 champions Lille, is a top-quality acquisition with a fine cross in his locker. But the absence of injured striker Krzysztof Piatek gives Ikone a smaller target to aim for.

At the back, La Viola have been solid, conceding just three goals in the last five games.

With 33 caps for Serbia, Nikola Milenkovic is a born leader. And alongside the experienced Cristiano Biraghi, he forms a solid defensive wall, but the pair will need to be at their best to cope with Napoli’s quick-footed strikers.

History

Napoli have had the better of the head-to-head exchanges, winning 19 of the last 44 meetings while La Viola have won 14 and there have been 11 draws.

The two teams met most recently in the Coppa Italia Round of 16 when Fiorentina ran out 5-2 winners, but Napoli can do the league double, having won the October clash in Florence by 2-1.

La Viola fans felt hard done by after their side went ahead with a beautiful team goal finished brilliantly by Lucas Martinez Quarta, only to lose the game.

Sloppy defending allowed Hirving Lozano to lash home the equaliser before Amir Rahman headed home a cross from Piotr Zielinski. 

Both teams come into the game is good form as Napoli are on a winning streak of three, while Fiorentina are unbeaten in four.

Betting Tip

I expect La Viola to put up a good fight and, for an alternative bet; Under 2.50 goals at odds of 1.99 might be on the mark.

But I’m backing Insigne to inspire his team to three more huge points to keep their title dreams well and truly alive. 

 

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