Serie A: Surprise Frontrunners Face the Former Leaders in the Eternal City

AS Roma vs Napoli

There’s a new sheriff in town, as AS Roma suddenly rose to the top of the Serie A standings with a slender two-point cushion. It has been a while since the Giallorossi are in this position, and they are keen to consolidate their top seed when they face the former table leaders, Napoli, at Stadio Olimpico on Sunday night.

After losing to AC Milan by one goal at the start of the month, Gian Piero Gasperini’s men have won four consecutive matches across all competitions. Their recent upturn in form not only put them at the top of the Italian top-flight but also back in the Top 15 in the Europa League table.

Meanwhile, Napoli recovered from their 2-0 loss against Bologna with victories against Atalanta (3-1) and Qarabag FK (2-0) in the Champions League. The Partenopei may have dropped to third, but they can reclaim the top berth with a win here.

 

Talking Points

Soule showcasing his wares at AS Roma

AS Roma are in the midst of a resurgence this season through the clever coaching of Gian Piero Gasperini, who was appointed by the team last summer. Under Gasperini, AS Roma have been experts at retaining a lead, having scored the opening goal in eight of their nine domestic wins.

The Giallorossi are winning games by committee, with nine players already on the scoresheet. Leading the way is Matias Soule, who already has four league goals and two assists. He’s one of the most versatile players on the team, able to play as their No. 10, a secondary striker, or a winger.

Soule joined AS Roma in July 2024 for a relatively cheap fee. In his first full season at the Eternal City, Soule notched five goals and five assists in 27 league games. Right now, he’s on pace to surpass his totals from last term. He has formed great chemistry with Paulo Dybala and Lorenzo Pellegrini up front, with Artem Dovbyk, Leon Bailey, and Evan Ferguson coming off the bench. 

Speaking of Dovbyk, he’s doubtful for this game alongside Angelino, while the team is sweating on the fitness of the midfield pair of Neil El Aynaoui (knee) and Manu Kone (ankle).

 

Key players out for Napoli

Elsewhere, Napoli have a gaping hole in the middle of the park, as the Partenopei will be without long-term absentees Frank Anguissa (thigh), Billy Gilmour (groin), and Kevin De Bruyne (thigh), leaving Antonio Conte with only Scott McTominay, Stanislav Lobotka, and Eljif Elmas as his midfield options. Miguel Gutierrez, Romelu Lukaku, and Alex Meret are upgraded to questionable, while Leonardo Spinazzola is probable to face his former club.

After enduring a drought in the final third, where they didn’t score at all in their past three matches, Napoli picked up the scoring in their last two games.  David Neres’ brace and Noa Lang’s score led the Partenopei past Atalanta, while McTominay scored in their Champions League match against Qarabag FK.

 

History

Last season, Napoli won 1-0 over AS Roma, as Romelu Lukaku scored the matchwinner near the hour mark. And two teams shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture last February, as Angelino’s stoppage-time equaliser cancelled out Leonardo Spinazzola’s first-half goal. Overall, the capital club has won just two of its previous nine meetings against the Partenopei at Stadio Olimpico.

The Giallorossi have conceded just six Serie A goals so far – their lowest tally after 12 games since 2013. And the last team with a better record at this juncture was Napoli in the 2021-22 campaign. 

Meanwhile, Napoli have lost three of their last four Serie A games on the road, and five of the last six overall.

 

Betting Tip

The Serie A 2025 odds believe we’re in for a tight affair between AS Roma and Napoli. Because they’re in better form and at the top of the Italian top-flight, AS Roma have the slight advantage at 2.42, whereas Napoli aren’t far behind at 2.83, and a draw is at 2.98 in the 1X2 market. Choosing the winner of this contest is tough to call.

But based on their recent encounters, Serie A 2025 highlights could come few and far between in this fixture. Besides our recommended bet, SBOTOP bettors may be tempted to add Under 2.25 at 1.74, Under 1.75 at 2.38, and even Total Goal 0-1 at 2.61 to the parlay. Moreover, a Correct Score of 1-1 – the result of their last league meeting – offers a decent payday of 5.70 your bet.

   

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