Napoli vs Como: Match Preview, Odds & Prediction

Napoli, who last visited the summit of the table over a year ago, will endeavor to maintain their impressive performance against Como when the two teams meet at Stadio Maradona on Friday evening.

The hosts in Serie A maintain an undefeated home record against their Lombardy counterparts; however, the visitors are also in excellent form before their journey to Naples.

Previous Matches and Head-to-head

Napoli has achieved its first return to the top of Serie A since the conclusion of their Scudetto-winning season in 2023, thanks to the guidance of head coach Antonio Conte. They hold a one-point lead over Juventus after six matches, with 13 points.

The Azzurri were back in action against Monza last weekend, and they scored twice in 11 minutes during the first half to effectively secure a victory. This was shortly after they advanced to the last 16 of the Coppa Italia by thrashing Serie B outfit Palermo 5-0.

Before Khvicha Kvaratskhelia doubled the host team's advantage, Matteo Politano extended their undefeated run to five league games. He became one of only three active players to score in 10 consecutive Serie A seasons, alongside South American duo Duvan Zapata and Paulo Dybala.

Napoli maintained their fourth consecutive clean sheet, achieving six shutouts from eight matches this season, despite the absence of their first-choice goalkeeper due to injury and the transition to a back four that was now unfamiliar.

They have secured all nine points in three Serie A fixtures on home soil, with seven goals scored and only one conceded. Conte and his team will undoubtedly be confident in their ability to continue in the same vein this weekend.

At Stadio Maradona, history is also on the hosts' side, as Napoli has triumphed in 77% of their top-flight encounters with Como, including 17 of the 22 previous meetings.

Although Como won both matches during their most recent encounter in Serie B approximately two decades ago, they have never returned to Lombardy with a single point from their 11 excursions to Naples at the highest level of Italian football.

On this occasion, a club that has lately begun to establish itself in Serie A will attempt to reverse that trend, having been reborn under ambitious owners.

Last week, Como extended their unbeaten stretch to three with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Hellas Verona, their first top-flight victory in 21 years.

Patrick Cutrone, currently in high form, scored a pair for the hosts at Stadio Sinigaglia. Subsequently, Andrea Belotti ended his lengthy goal drought, moving the team to eight points and 10th place.

The team's head coach, Cesc Fabregas, will be overjoyed to observe that they have finally found their cadence. This marks only the second time in history that Como has scored three goals in consecutive Serie A matches, the last time being during the 1951-52 campaign.

Consequently, Napoli's resolute rearguard must remain vigilant this weekend to secure first place and extend their lead over the field before the international break.

Napoli x Como Team News

Napoli is expected to be without Alex Meret on Friday evening due to a quadriceps injury, while Elia Caprile will continue to serve as a substitute between the posts.

Alternatively, Antonio Conte is anticipated to maintain his traditional back four despite having recently abandoned his preferred 3-4-2-1 formation, as he remains in possession of an entire squad. The primary objective of that maneuver was to facilitate Scott McTominay in the midfield.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has five Serie A goal involvements to his name this season. In his last three league appearances at the Maradona, he has scored twice and provided one assist, flanking Romelu Lukaku on the left wing.

Patrick Cutrone has been the most prolific performer for Como this term, scoring on four occasions thus far. That is already one more than he scored in his most recent top-flight campaign, which consisted of three goals in 28 games for Empoli in 2021-22.

The only potential absentee for the visitors is fellow forward Alberto Cerri; however, he may be able to recuperate from an ankle injury in time to make the squad.

Despite eventually scoring last weekend, Andrea Belotti is anticipated to begin on the bench. Nico Paz is expected to support Cutrone in the attacking position, while Sergi Roberto, a former Barcelona midfielder, will oversee the engine room.

Our Predictions

Napoli to win @ 1.50 on Sky247.ng

Although Como is undoubtedly capable of causing Napoli some issues, the hosts have fortified their defense under the new management and will be challenging to penetrate.

The visitors conceded the most goals during the final 15 minutes and stoppage time in Serie A thus far (five), while Napoli scored four. Consequently, a late victor may secure the points.

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