Preview: Napoli vs Torino – prediction, team news, lineups

Reigning Serie A champions Napoli will proceed their struggle for a high-4 end on Friday night, once they welcome Torino to Stadio Maradona.

With their title defence basically over, the Partenopei should keep in entrance of a number of Champions League chasers; in the meantime, Toro are usually not but protected from relegation.

Match preview

Now a distant third place within the desk, Napoli have left each Milan golf equipment to battle for this season’s Scudetto, as a substitute shifting focus to securing a spot within the remaining high 4.

Antonio Conte‘s harm-hit facet path 14 factors behind imperious league leaders Inter Milan, having additionally exited each the Champions League and Coppa Italia earlier than the latter levels.

Last outing, the Partenopei bounced again from dropping to fellow Champions League hopefuls Atalanta by beating Serie B-certain Hellas Verona – nevertheless it required a final-gasp aim to take action.

Following a protracted layoff, Romelu Lukaku has been restricted to some cameos since returning to the squad, however his newest look proved sufficient to seal a 2-1 away win.

Conte might be involved, although, that his team has now gone 9 video games and not using a clear sheet throughout all competitions, and a number of other different golf equipment are searching them down. 

With 11 rounds remaining, fourth-positioned Roma sit simply two factors behind, with Juventus, Como and Atalanta nonetheless in competition. 

Nonetheless, Napoli have each purpose to really feel assured for a uncommon Friday night time contest: they’re unbeaten in Serie A house fixtures this season and have misplaced simply one in every of their final 17 conferences with Torino on the Maradona.

© Imago / Gonzales Photo

In truth, Toro have solely taken one level from their final 4 visits, however having received the reverse fixture 1-0 they may now do their first double over Napoli since 2009.

Facing a struggle to retain high-flight standing, the Turin facet began life below new administration final week, once they gave Roberto D’Aversa an ideal dugout debut.

Both Giovanni Simeone and Duvan Zapata discovered the goal in opposition to one other membership embroiled in a bitter conflict between fanbase and possession, as Torino beat Lazio 2-0. 

That was the most recent dwelling sport to happen in entrance of close to-empty stands, as supporters proceed to protest in opposition to Urbano Cairo’s presidency, so Toro could even welcome a protracted journey south to Naples.

Appointed on a brief-time period contract, D’Aversa has been tasked with preserving the membership afloat in Serie A, they usually now sit six factors above the drop zone. 

The ex-Lecce boss may develop into the primary Torino coach to win his first two high-flight fixtures since 1981 – however he should outsmart Conte so as to take action.

Napoli Serie A type:

L W W D L W

Napoli type (all competitions):

W W L D L W

Torino Serie A type:

L W D L L W

Torino type (all competitions):

W L D L L W

Team News

© Imago / Fotoagenzia

Just when Napoli had been handed some uncommon excellent news on the health entrance – with Frank Anguissa, Scott McTominay and Kevin De Bruyne all again in full coaching – midfield fulcrum Stanislav Lobotka could possibly be pressured to overlook Friday’s sport.

While the Slovakian star is uncertain as a result of a muscular difficulty, David Neres, Amir Rrahmani and captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo stay confirmed absentees.

After netting an early opener in opposition to Verona, Rasmus Hojlund now wants yet one more aim to hit double figures in Serie A this season; again on the scoresheet final week, Lukaku has beforehand notched 9 aim involvements in opposition to Torino.

Meanwhile, Toro’s assault ought to be led by Napoli loanee Simeone, who scored the winner in October’s reverse fixture and was naturally reluctant to rejoice.

Following his strike in opposition to Lazio, the Argentine striker is one shy of reaching 100 Serie A aim involvements; he may proceed to companion membership captain Zapata, who performed for Napoli a number of years in the past.

By distinction with Conte, D’Aversa could have his entire squad out there: Tino Anjorin and Che Adams have not too long ago returned from harm, Emirhan Ilkhan has served his suspension, solely leaving Zakaria Aboukhlal’s presence in some doubt.

Napoli potential beginning lineup:

Milinkovic-Savic; Jesus, Buongiorno, Olivera; Politano, Gilmour, Elmas, Spinazzola; Vergara, Alisson; Hojlund

Torino potential beginning lineup:

Paleari; Coco, Ismajli, Ebosse; Lazaro, Gineitis, Prati, Vlasic, Obrador; Simeone, Zapata

We say: Napoli 2-1 Torino 

Amid harm-inflicted adjustments of personnel and formation, Napoli have been extra weak in current months, so they may not stroll to an easy win.

Torino confirmed some spirit final week, however successful on the Maradona stays a troublesome activity and they’ll fail to bridge a transparent hole in high quality.

For information evaluation of the most probably outcomes, scorelines and extra for this match please click here.