Napoli vs Como Predictions
Como are in fabulous away form, and they should test a Napoli side that has laboured in recent weeks. I fancy Como to win or draw in a game where both teams should get on the scoresheet.
Como in Fine Form
- Napoli failed to win 6 of their last 9 matches
- Napoli have seen BTTS in 4 of their last 5 matches
- Como scored exactly 3 goals in their last 4 away matches
- Como are unbeaten in 9 of their last 10 matches
Level in Recent Napoli vs Como H2H
Napoli and Como have met on just three occasions this century. Both teams picked up one win each last season, before a goalless draw in Naples last November.
Napoli Scrape Past Genoa
Napoli turn their attention to Coppa Italia action after a dramatic 3-2 Serie A win at Genoa on Saturday. Rasmus Hojlund’s stoppage-time penalty, his second strike of the day, secured a vital away victory for Antonio Conte’s side.
Hit by several injuries this season, Napoli’s lack of consistency in selection has caused defensive issues. The Neapolitans failed to keep a clean sheet in seven of their last nine matches, including each of their last five fixtures.
Despite a strong record in Naples, Conte's men failed to win three of their last five matches at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
The six-time Coppa Italia winners booked their place in the quarter-finals with a nervy penalty shootout win against Cagliari last month. After a 1-1 draw in Naples, Gli Azzurri sealed a 9-8 spot kick victory.
Como Extend Unbeaten Run
Como make the trip to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona after a frustrating 0-0 draw against Atalanta last weekend.
Despite playing against ten men from the eighth minute, when Honest Ahanor was sent off, Cesc Fabregas’s side still failed to find a breakthrough, despite registering an XG of 5.05.
The in-form I Lariani scored 12 goals while winning three previous fixtures before last weekend's stalemate. Fabregas's men lost just one of nine games played since mid-December.
Impressive on their travels, Como booked their quarter-final spot with a fine 3-1 win against Fiorentina two weeks ago. I Lariani backed up that victory with an equally impressive 3-0 road win at Lazio.
Predicted Lineups and Team News
Napoli (3-4-2-1) Alex Meret; A Buongiorno, Amir Rrahmani, Mathias Olivera; Miguel Gutierrez, Stanislav Lobotka, Elif Elmas, Leonardo Spinazzola; Antonio Vergara, Alisson Santos; Rasmus Hojlund.
Napoli boss Conte remains unable to call on half a dozen first-team players this week. Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Pasquale Mazzocchi, Kevin De Bruyne, Billy Gilmour, and David Neres miss out this week.
Conte admitted the season has been unusually draining due to a lack of squad depth.
“It is an absurd season, certainly. If we are intelligent people, we all ought to reflect on the construction of the squad and the transfer strategy we followed, because compared to other teams, we have a very reduced squad. We can’t even look to the youth academy.”
Scottish midfielder Scott McTominay is also expected to miss out after he was withdrawn after just 45 minutes of Sunday's win at Genoa. Belgian forward Romelu Lukaku is available after a long injury layoff.
Como (4-2-3-1) Jean Butez; Mergim Vojvoda, Marc Oliver Kempf, Jacobo Ramon, Alex Valle; Lucas Da Cunha, Ivan Smolcic; Anastasios Douvikas, Maximo Perrone, Martin Baturina; Nico Paz.
Head coach Fabregas has a strong squad available for Tuesday's Coppa Italia contest. Assane Diao and Nikola Cavlina both miss out for the visitors.
Fabregas believes Como’s progress is built on a longer-term project rather than just short-term results.
“Results matter enormously, they’re crucial,” Fabregas said. “But at Como there’s real growth behind the scenes, with a pathway that started two years ago and is moving very quickly,” he told Sky Sport Italia during an open training session.