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Two in-form sides ready to battle it out as title favourites Napoli host Roma in Serie A.

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Napoli will be looking for a 17th victory in Serie A as they host Jose Mourinho’s Roma on Sunday evening at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.


With the return fixture ending 1-0 to Napoli at the Stadio Olimpico due to a Victor Oshimen wonder strike, Roma will want revenge over their rivals this time out.


The Nigerian striker has been having a brilliant season as he currently sits top of the goalscoring charts with 13 goals. The Roma defence will have their work cut out to stop the striker who caused absolute havoc to Juventus’ back three, in his sides 5-1 victory.


However Roma will be no pushovers as they currently sit fifth in the table, level with third placed Lazio. Since the winter break Roma have not lost a game and will not want to ruin that record when heading to Naples.


Roma have a jewel of their own in Paulo Dybala who has been outstanding since the winter break. The World Cup winner has seven goals and four assists so far this term which looks even more impressive when he missed a large chunk of the season due to injury.


Napoli will no doubt stick to their approach of aggressive defending and patient attacking patterns revolved around top scorer Oshimen, to come away with all three points.


Napoli will pen Roma back and create space in the middle third where Lobotka, Zambo Anguissa and Zielinski can control the pace of the game. From here Napoli will work patiently to find the space within Roma’s backline which has been a difficult task so far this season.


Roma will defend deep and counter through Paulo Dybala and Tammy Abraham which has worked extremely well in recent victories over Fiorentina and Spezia. Although this approach has frustrated fans at times it has provided impressive results in recent weeks.


Napoli boss Luciano Spalletti will be hoping star man Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is fit for this game as he had to sit out the victory last week over Salernitana due to sickness. With his ability to dribble and open up space for his teammates his absence could spell trouble for the Partenopei.


However in Elif Elmas, Napoli have a reliable back up who when called upon, provides excellent energy and final third quality from the left or in central midfield. The Macedonian has become a manager's favourite due to his work ethic and may be expecting to start in this game as a reward for recent displays.


Key to Napoli’s success this season has been goalkeeper Alex Meret who has only conceded 14 goals so far in League play. Therefore Dybala will have to be at his best to beat the Italian stopper and get past his feisty back four.


With rivals AC Milan and Inter Milan facing teams in the relegation battle, Jose Mourinho would love to come away with a result to keep up with their top four rivals. Meanwhile Napoli will be expecting nothing less than a victory to please their fans and take a step closer to the Scudetto.


Jose Mourinho will not be panicked by Napoli dominating the ball in this game and will expect his frontline to work their magic. Spalletti and his magnificent side will be patient in this game and work hard to undo Roma’s defensive discipline.





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