Naples: The Stadio Diego Armando Maradona hosts a high-stakes Derby del Sole this Sunday evening as reigning champions Napoli welcome AS Roma. With both sides locked in a fierce battle for Champions League qualification, the atmosphere in southern Italy promises to be electric.
According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Napoli sits in 3rd place while AS Roma is in 5th, with the teams separated by just three points. A victory for Roma would see them pull level with Napoli, whereas a win for the hosts would solidify their grip on the top three and extend their formidable home record.
Napoli faces significant challenges with a slew of injuries. Antonio Conte is dealing with an injury crisis in midfield, with Scott McTominay sidelined due to a tendon injury. Other key players like Kevin De Bruyne, Frank Anguissa, captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo, and David Neres are also unavailable. Additionally, defender Juan Jesus is suspended following a red card against Genoa. Sam Beukema is expected to fill in defensively, while Eljif Elmas will pair up with Lobotka in midfield. In attack, Rasmus Hojlund, who recently found form with a brace against Genoa, is expected to lead the line.
AS Roma also enters the match with injury woes. Star forward Paulo Dybala is out due to a knee problem, while other absentees include Manu Kone, Mario Hermoso, Artem Dovbyk, Evan Ferguson, Robino Vaz, and Stephan El Shaarawy. Matias Soule, initially doubtful, is projected to start alongside Lorenzo Pellegrini and Donyell Malen in the attack. Defensively, the trio of Mancini, Ndicka, and Ghilardi will aim to maintain their clean sheet record.
The match is set to kick off at 20:45 CET at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Naples, with Colombo A officiating. For those watching from afar, the game will be available on DAZN in Italy, TNT Sports 1 and discovery+ in the United Kingdom, and Paramount+ in the United States.
Napoli enters the game with a recent form of D-W-W-L-L, while AS Roma's last five matches have ended in W-L-D-D-W. Napoli has a slight edge in their recent head-to-head encounters, having won two of the last five matchups. However, Roma has not managed a win in Naples since 2017.
The match promises to be a tactical battle, with Napoli relying on their strong home form and Roma banking on their defensive solidity. With both teams aiming for a top-four finish, the Derby del Sole is set to be a crucial encounter in the Serie A race for Champions League spots.