Como vs Napoli

Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia sets the stage for a ‘David vs Goliath’ Serie A clash between Como and Napoli.

Como’s bid to secure top-flight survival received a timely boost last weekend as they beat Fiorentina 2-0 against the odds to snap a three-match losing streak and steer five points away from the bottom three. However, winning back-to-back league matches for the first time since September looks unlikely for Como, considering they’ve lost the last four H2Hs against Napoli, including a 3-1 defeat in this season’s reverse fixture. Furthermore, they only have one win from 23 Serie A meetings with this opposition, highlighting the magnitude of the task awaiting them this weekend. Manager Cesc Fabregas must worry about Como’s dreadful home record of five losses from as many top-flight matches against current top-seven sides this season, suggesting a third consecutive home league defeat could be on the cards.

Heavily favored to take three points and return to Serie A’s table summit, Napoli head into proceedings determined to arrest a disappointing run of three successive league draws, bookended by a 2-2 stalemate at Lazio last weekend. Worryingly for manager Antonio Conte, his charges surrendered a lead on all three occasions! On the bright side, the visitors have gone unbeaten in all 12 Serie A away games since a 3-0 demolition at Hellas Verona on matchday one (W8, D4), setting up the division’s best road record this term. Moreover, ‘I Partenopei’ have found the back of the net on their last ten Serie A travels, making up for failing to keep a clean sheet on five of the most recent six.