Serie A | Torino v Napoli: Match Prediction, Preview, Team News and Lineups

Napoli, embroiled in a fierce multi-team battle for Serie A supremacy, travel to Turin on Sunday to face a Torino side desperately seeking a return to form. The contrast between the two teams’ recent performances could not be starker, setting the stage for an intriguing encounter at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino.

The Azzurri, under the astute guidance of Antonio Conte, have reclaimed their position at the Serie A summit following a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Roma in the Derby del Sole. Romelu Lukaku’s strike against his former club proved decisive, underlining Napoli’s title credentials.

Napoli’s defensive prowess has been particularly noteworthy this season:

– Eight clean sheets in Serie A (second only to Juventus)
– Conceded just once in the first half of away games
– Part of a tightly contested six-team group separated by just four points at the top of the table

While their home form has been impeccable, with eight wins from nine matches across all competitions under Conte, their away performances have room for improvement. The trip to Torino presents an opportunity to address this, with a Coppa Italia quarter-final berth at stake in their subsequent match against Lazio.

In stark contrast, Torino find themselves in a worrying slump. Paolo Vanoli’s side has managed just one goal and a solitary point from their last four Serie A outings. Their fall from grace has been dramatic:

– Eleven points from the first five matchdays
– Only four points from the subsequent eight matches
– Slipped into the bottom half of the Serie A standings

The Granata’s last victory dates back to October, and they enter this fixture on the back of a disappointing 1-1 draw with struggling Monza. Already eliminated from the Coppa Italia, Torino are in desperate need of a positive result to reignite their season.

While Torino went unbeaten against Napoli last season, including a 3-0 victory in their most recent encounter at the Stadio Olimpico Grande, history favors the visitors. Prior to last season’s results, Napoli had won seven of their previous eight visits to Turin.

Team News

Conte has the luxury of a nearly full-strength squad, with only reserve full-back Pasquale Mazzocchi sidelined. The Napoli boss is likely to field an unchanged starting XI from the Roma victory.

The hosts continue to deal with injury concerns:
– Perr Schuurs and Duvan Zapata remain sidelined with ACL injuries
– Ivan Ilic may return to the squad following a hamstring issue

Antonio Sanabria, who has scored in three of his last four appearances against Napoli, is expected to partner Che Adams in attack.

Expected Starting XIs

Torino: Milinkovic-Savic; Walukiewicz, Coco, Masina; Pedersen, Vlasic, Ricci, Gineitis, Lazaro; Adams, Sanabria

Napoli: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Buongiorno, Olivera; Anguissa, Lobotka, McTominay; Politano, Lukaku, Kvaratskhelia

Match Prediction

Given Napoli’s defensive solidity and Torino’s recent goal-scoring woes, a low-scoring affair seems likely. Both teams have a penchant for narrow victories, with four one-goal margin wins each this season.

Considering Napoli’s title aspirations and Torino’s alarming form, the visitors are favored to edge this contest. Expect Conte’s men to secure a hard-fought 1-0 victory, further cementing their position at the top of Serie A while deepening Torino’s concerns.

Prediction: Toino 0-1 Napoli

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