Verdict: Napoli win
Best Odds: 2/5
Bookmaker: Luckster
Seeking an immediate Serie A response on Friday night, Napoli will welcome Cremonese to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
Napoli
Starting with the hosts, watching their extended purple patch come to a disappointing end at the hands of bitter historic rivals Lazio, Napoli will be seeking an immediate response here. Eventually falling to a 2-0 loss at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Antonio Conte’s side were hit with a first Serie A defeat since the end of February. Sacrificing their spot in silver medal position, the Azzurri will be desperately searching for an immediate response here. However, sat firmly in the driving seat to book another lucrative Champions League ticket, Napoli will certainly be smelling a golden opportunity this weekend. Securing a 2-0 victory when they travelled to Lombardy for their reverse Serie A showdown against Cremonese back on December 28th, the former Tottenham boss will be calling on a repeat performance on Friday night.
Napoli Team News
At the heart of what looks set to be come a messy Napoli divorce, Belgium international Romelu Lukaku will once again miss out here. Italian defender Giovanni Di Lorenzo remains on the sidelines with a long-term knee injury and won’t play any part this weekend.
Notching 10 goals after completing a loan switch from Manchester United last summer, Danish striker Rasmus Hojlund will lead the line on Friday night. Reportedly attracting Premier League interest ahead of the summer transfer window, Alessandro Buongiorno will start at the heart of Napoli’s defence.
Cremonese
As for the visitors, while Cremonese might have made their iconic Serie A return this season, Marco Giampaolo’s side have a major battle on their hands in the race to keep hold of their top-flight status over the coming weeks. Travelling to Naples this weekend with just their goal difference keeping them outside the relegation zone, La Cremo have remarkably claimed just a single win from any of their previous 19 consecutive appearances – a rut that stems all the way back to December 7th. Marking their return from March’s international break with consecutive defeats against Bologna and Cagliari, Friday’s guests are pencilled in as a major underdog here. Hit with that routine 2-0 loss when they welcomed Napoli to Lombardy for their reverse Serie A showdown back in December, Giampaolo’s struggling squad should be bracing themselves for a stern examination in Naples.
Cremonese Team News
Dealing with a recent muscle issue and not featuring since returning from March’s international break, former Leicester icon Jamie Vardy remains a major doubt here. However, missing each of Cremonese’s last two Serie A outings through suspension, Youssef Maleh could be handed a full recall.
Despite still waiting to open his Cremonese account after arriving from Parma during the January transfer window, veteran striker Milan Djuric could be handed a chance to lead the line. Fellow new recruit and ex-Inter Milan goalkeeper Emil Adudero will start between the sticks.
Napoli vs Cremonese Key Factors to Consider
- When Napoli and Cremonese met for their reverse Serie A battle on December 28th, the Azzurri collected a 2-0 victory in Lombardy.
- Napoli’s 2-0 loss against Lazio last week was the first Serie A defeat they have suffered in front of their own supporters so far this season.
- La Cremo have remarkably claimed just a single win from any of their previous 19 consecutive appearances – a rut that stems all the way back to December 7th.
- Cremonese have lost seven of their previous eight matchups outside of Lombardy.
- Napoli have registered just a sole clean sheet from any of their last eight straight matchups on home soil.
Conclusion
Watching their extended flurry come to a disappointing end last week as they fell to a 2-0 loss at home against historic foes Lazio, Napoli will be seeking an immediate Serie A response here. Looking to leapfrog AC Milan back to silver medal position, Friday’s hosts have been handed a golden opportunity. Securing a 2-0 victory when they travelled to Lombardy for their reverse top-flight battle against Cremonese back in December, we are expecting a similar outcome this weekend.
Verdict: Napoli win
Best Odds: 2/5
Bookmaker: Luckster
