Juventus-Napoli is a match of the thirty-first day of Serie A and is played on Sunday at 8:45 p.m.: odds, predictions, TV and streaming.
A match like this never loses its appeal, not even if the current standings say that the points separating the two teams are as many as sixteen. No, there is no shortage of interest when Juventus and Napoli find themselves facing each other, animated by a recent but no less heated rivalry than others more established over time.
Bianconeri and Azzurri face each other a little more than three months after the first leg: in January, Luciano Spalletti’s men handed the Old Lady one of the worst defeats in its history, a 5-1 defeat that will hardly be forgotten at the foot of Vesuvius. That was probably the success that convinced the partenopei that they had no credible rivals in this league, and from that moment on they began to grind out victory after victory, creating a vacuum behind them. Juventus, on the other hand, was joined after a few days by the news of 15 penalty points for the capital gains case. A sword of Damocles that continued to hang over the head of Massimiliano Allegri and his men until last Thursday. When the Collegio di Garanzia del Coni upheld – albeit only partially – the appeal of the Bianconeri’s lawyers, temporarily returning the points and upsetting the standings again. Danilo and his teammates, from seventh, found themselves in third place, two points behind former Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio, in the middle of the Champions League zone.
Recover Juventus
The ruling was not the only source of smiles for Juve this week. Within hours, also on Thursday, came the qualification to the semifinals of the Europa League thanks to a draw (1-1) at home to Sporting CP at the end of a very painful match in which the Bianconeri were crushed in their penalty area for a long time.
Allegri and Spalletti
In his press conference Allegri reiterated that the goal in the league is second place, consequently hinting that the Scudetto is now in the hands of Napoli. Juventus, which will be engaged in the Coppa Italia semifinal return match with Inter in the coming week, is fresh off two Serie A defeats, both of which came in away matches against Lazio and Sassuolo. Diametrically opposite mood, on the other hand, at home Napoli after their elimination from the Champions League through Milan. The Azzurri failed to mount a comeback over the Rossoneri (1-1) and a counter-attack masterfully brought forward by Leao was fatal to disrupt their plans. The cup leader confirmed the moment of decline, which was also evident in the last league match with Verona, which ended 0-0. Spalletti now aims to close games as soon as possible regarding the tricolor. Which, in case of a victory at Allianz Stadium, would become closer and closer.
Juventus-Napoli: the latest news on the lineups
Oriented to confirm the 3-5-2, Allegri will have to rotate someone ahead of the Coppa Italia clash with Inter. Bremer, who came out of the Lisbon match battered, could remain on the bench: there is Gatti ready to take his place. In midfield, the novelty may be De Sciglio, in a runoff with Cuadrado, while in attack it is a tight duel between Milik and Vlahovic, with Chiesa looking for space from the first minute.
Spalletti does not have many alternatives, forced to deal with the forfeits of Mario Rui, Simeone and Rrahmani: the latter is in strong doubt. Politano is also absent. Olivera will act on the left lane, while Juan Jesus will partner Kim in the center of defense. Finally, the starting midfield returns and the Lozano-Osimhen-Kvaratskhelia trident is recomposed.
The Prediction
There is great balance in the last nine league meetings between Juventus and Napoli, which have recorded four wins on each side and one draw. The last Azzurri success in Turin dates back to 2018 – Koulibaly’s famous goal – while under Spalletti’s management the partenopei are still unbeaten against Juve. The script of the match is likely to be similar to that of the first leg, although Napoli has to deal with some important absences. And in the double-header with Milan, it appeared lackluster and a bit out of breath. The Bianconeri should manage to avoid defeat in a match that promises to be balanced and in which both sides will score.
The probable formations of Juventus-Napoli
- JUVENTUS (3-5-2): Szczesny; Danilo, Gatti, Alex Sandro; De Sciglio, Fagioli, Locatelli, Rabiot, Kostic; Chiesa, Milik.
- NAPLES (4-3-3): Meret; Di Lorenzo, Kim, Juan Jesus, Olivera; Zambo Anguissa, Lobotka, Zielinski; Lozano, Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-1
