As the Serie A season approaches its midway point, second-placed Napoli travel to the Stadio Luigi Ferraris on Saturday, eyeing a victory that would temporarily propel them to the top of the table. Their opponents, Genoa, have shown significant improvement under new manager Patrick Vieira and will be keen to extend their unbeaten run in this high-stakes encounter.
Antonio Conte’s Napoli side have bounced back from a brief stumble, responding to consecutive defeats against Lazio with a convincing 3-1 victory over Udinese last weekend. This resilience has kept them hot on the heels of league leaders Atalanta, with the Azzurri amassing an impressive 35 points from 17 matches.
Conte’s impact at Napoli has been profound, making him the only coach in Serie A history to reach this point tally at this stage of the season with three different clubs. His previous successes with Juventus and Inter Milan bode well for Napoli’s title aspirations.
The Partenopei’s defensive solidity has been a cornerstone of their success, particularly away from home. They have conceded just twice in their last seven Serie A road games and have kept five clean sheets away since September, a joint-best record across Europe’s top five leagues.
Patrick Vieira’s appointment as Genoa manager during the November international break has sparked a revival for the Ligurian club. The Grifone are unbeaten in Vieira’s first four matches, most recently securing a commendable goalless draw against AC Milan at San Siro.
This upturn in form has seen Genoa climb to 13th place, though they remain just two points above the relegation zone. The team’s improved defensive organization has been particularly noteworthy, with three consecutive clean sheets bolstering their survival hopes.
The match promises to be a tactical chess match between two defensively astute sides. Conte’s Napoli have proven adept at grinding out results, especially away from home, while Vieira has quickly instilled a sense of defensive discipline in his Genoa side.
Napoli’s ability to break down stubborn defences will be tested against a Genoa team that has shown remarkable improvement in recent weeks. The visitors may look to exploit the flanks, with Di Lorenzo and Olivera providing width to stretch the Genoa defence.
For Genoa, the focus will likely be on maintaining their defensive shape and looking to hit Napoli on the counter. Pinamonti’s hold-up play and the energy of midfielders like Frendrup and Thorsby will be crucial in executing this strategy.
Team News
Napoli face significant absentees for this crucial fixture. Creative dynamo Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and defensive stalwart Alessandro Buongiorno are both sidelined, potentially until the new year. Conte will likely turn to David Neres to fill the void left by Kvaratskhelia, while either Rafa Marin or Juan Jesus will step in for Buongiorno.
In midfield, Frank Anguissa is expected to shake off an illness to maintain his pivotal role. Up front, Romelu Lukaku will look to continue his excellent record against Genoa, having netted seven goals in six Serie A appearances against the Ligurian side.
Genoa’s injury woes persist, with several key players unavailable. The likes of Koni De Winter, Jeff Ekhator, Caleb Ekuban, Junior Messias, and Ruslan Malinovskyi remain on the treatment table. In their absence, Andrea Pinamonti, the team’s top scorer with five goals, will spearhead the attack.
Expected Starting XIs
Genoa: Leali; Sabelli, Bani, Vasquez, Martin; Frendrup, Badelj, Thorsby; Zanoli, Miretti; Pinamonti
Napoli: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Jesus, Olivera; Anguissa, Lobotka; Politano, McTominay, Neres; Lukaku
Match Prediction
Given Napoli’s impressive away record and Genoa’s newfound resilience, a closely contested match is expected. While Genoa have yet to win a league game at home this season, their recent form suggests they will not be easily overcome.
However, Napoli’s quality and experience in tight encounters should see them edge this fixture. A narrow 1-0 victory for the visitors seems the most likely outcome, a result that would temporarily place them at the Serie A summit and maintain their title challenge.
Prediction: Genoa 0-1 Napoli
