Napoli host Cagliari in their final Italian Serie A fixture of the season, with the title within reach. Partenopei have a straightforward task on Friday and given their home form, should claim the win to secure the Scudetto.
Napoli come into Friday’s crucial clash following a 0-0 draw at Parma, a missed opportunity to widen their lead at the top after Inter also dropped points. While the stalemate frustrated their title push, Partenopei remain in control of the race, riding an 11-game unbeaten run that includes six wins.
With just a narrow advantage, Antonio Conte’s men know only a victory will remove any lingering doubt. They are unbeaten in their last 10 home matches, claiming seven wins in that run but have failed to keep a clean sheet in six of the last eight fixtures.
Cagliari head into their final fixture buoyed by a 3-0 win over Venezia that confirmed their Serie A survival. While it was a pivotal win, their overall form remains poor and they will head to Naples with four defeats in the last six Serie A away matches.
A poor record on their travels has also hampered Cagliari, who are winless in eight of their last nine away matches in the league. Compounding their struggles is a fragile defence, with 3-1 defeats to Inter Milan and Como among their recent record on the road.
How the bookies view it: Napoli overwhelming favourites
Napoli have been installed as overwhelming favourites, with a home win priced at 1/6 with BoyleSports. An unlikely victory for Cagliari is priced at 14/1 while a draw is valued at 6/1 with BoyleSports.
Head to head: Superior Napoli
Napoli have a 23-7 advantage, with 17 draws from 47 previous matches against Cagliari. The Neapolitans claimed a 4-0 away victory in the reverse fixture.
Players to watch: Reliable Lukaku
Romelu Lukaku is the leading scorer for Napoli with 13 goals and will be the one to watch on Friday. The striker was also on target in the reverse fixture and is priced at 7/10 by BoyleSports to find the net once again.
Roberto Piccoli has been one of the standout players for Cagliari this season, scoring 10 goals so far. The striker could be worth keeping an eye on to score anytime on Friday at 9/2 with BoyleSports.
Probable lineups
Napoli will be without Stanislav Lobotka, Alessandro Buongiorno and Juan Jesus due injuries. However, Scott McTominay, Giacomo Raspadori and Lukaku are expected to keep their places in the lineup.
Zito Luvumbo and Carlo Soldati are still out injured for Cagliari. However, Alessandro Deiola, Nadir Zortea and Piccoli are expected to keep their spots in the lineup.
Napoli: Meret, Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Olivera, Spinazzola, Politano, Anguissa, Gilmour, McTominay, Lukaku, Raspadori
Cagliari: Caprile, Luperto, Mina, Zappa, Augello, Deiola, Makoumbou, Adopo, Zortea, Piccoli, Gaetano
Anything else catch the eye?
Both teams have scored in five of their last seven meetings and a repeat is priced at 6/5 with BoyleSports. Napoli have earned a win and over 2.5 goals in three of their last five home matches and could be set for a similar outcome at 6/10 with BoyleSports.
Three of Napoli’s last four home matches have produced over 1.5 goals in the first half and a repeat is pegged at 6/5 with BoyleSports.
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