It’s hardly still a title race but the top two of Serie A face off in Naples as Napoli host league leaders and still undefeated Juventus.
Napoli and Juventus are currently separated by 13 points so if there was any shot at a title race, Napoli have to win and expect something crazy to happen afterwards. Napoli have been great, but Juventus have been near perfect with a 22W 3D 0L record which is just near impossible to keep up with.
Napoli are entering this game on decent form having won 2 straight games, most recently battering Parma 0-4 away from home in what was definitely one of their more impressive performances of the season.
Juventus haven’t been looking all that convincing lately, despite winning 3 straight in the league which have come against average Frosinone, Sassuolo and Bologna sides, they have had a few blips in other competitions against better sides like 3-0 loss to Atalanta in Coppa, 2-0 loss to Atletico in Europe. Plus concerning the league they just about scraped a 0-1 win at Bologna last week and blew a 3-1 lead to Parma in a 3-3 draw too not too long ago. This Napoli away game could be a dangerous one when it comes to their invincible record so far this season.
Napoli have been exceptionally good at home this season, they are still undefeated in front of their own fans across all competitions, their home record is 10W 3D 0L in Serie A which is the 2nd best below Juventus by 2 points. Napoli have defeated the likes of AC Milan, Lazio, Liverpool, grabbed draws against PSG, Roma this season. Just a very tough place to go to and get a result and Napoli will definitely got that to their advantage if they want to knock off the league leaders.
Juventus are beyond exceptional away from home however. Juve have a better away record than a home record in fact with a 11W 1D 0L record away from home in the Serie A this season. Juve have managed to win at grounds like San Siro against AC Milan, Old Trafford against Man Utd (UCL), Mestalla against Valencia (UCL), they won away at Lazio, Fiorentina. Safe to say Juve are very good on their travels this season.
Juventus have a 100% win ratio against the top 6 of the Serie A this season in the league. They did a double on Lazio, beat Napoli, Milan, Inter, Roma. Very good big game team.
Napoli’s attackers Milik, Insigne and Mertens are all going to have to show up here for the club to grab a result, the trio have a combined 30 goals in the league this season with Milik leading the way with 14. This trio is going to have to show up as they usually have done this season.
As for Juventus, Cristiano Ronaldo is the MAN of course. He has contributed to 27 goals, leads the league in goals and assists with 19 and 8 and has been especially good away from home this season. Expect a big performance from the big man on the big occasion.
Juventus won the reverse fixture 3-1 against Napoli. Juve came back from 0-1 down and Mandzukic shined with a brace while Ronaldo delivered 2 assists to lead the way for Juve that time.
When Napoli have been hosting, it’s been quite evenly matched between these sides with the past 5 meetings seeing Napoli win 2 times, Juve win 2 times and the other game resulting in a draw. Juve won in their last travel to Napoli 0-1 last season.
Napoli are slight bookies favourites to grab a win offered at 2.43 while Juventus are at 3.05 to win the game with the draw tipped at 3.20. Odds based on Unibet.
Team News
Napoli: Raul Albiol and Amin Younes are the only absentees for the home side which otherwise is at full strength.
Juventus: Juan Cuadrado and Sami Khedira are both out, however Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to play despite there being doubts.
Betting Stats
Napoli have covered 38.5% of their total goal overs at home this season (5-2-6).
Napoli have covered 38.5% of their 1st half total goal overs at home this season (5-1-7).
Napoli average 1.38 bookings per game at home this season in Serie A (18 bookings in 13 games).
Arkadiusz Milik is Napoli’s top scorer at home with 9 home goals in the Serie A this season. Mertens had 6, Insigne has 5 home goals.
Napoli have covered 46.2% of their Handicaps at home this season (6-2-5).
Napoli have covered 53.8% of their 1st half Handicaps at home this season (7-6).
Juventus have covered 50% of their total goal overs away from home this season (6-1-5).
Juventus have covered 33.3% of their total 1st half goal overs away from home this season (4-3-5).
Juventus average 2.5 bookings per game away from home in the Serie A this season (30 bookings in 12 games).
Cristiano Ronaldo is Juventus top scorer away from home with 10 away goals for the club in the Serie A this season.
Juventus have covered 50% of their Handicaps away from home in the league this season (6-1-5).
Juventus have covered 33.3% of their 1st half Handicaps away from home this season (4-8).
KICK OFF – 3rd March 2019 – 7:30pm UK Time
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