Last season, both Roma and Napoli attempted to challenge Juventus as the Bianconeri sought to retain their Scudetto crown. However, despite the Giallorossi enjoying their best campaign to date with an impressive 85 points, as well as racking up 30 points from their first 10 games, it was all in vain as La Vecchia Signora blew away the competition by amassing a record-setting 102 points en route to their third straight league title.
Rudi Garcia's sophomore season in Italy's capital started off in the same fashion as his debut term, and perhaps even better. Despite suffering two losses - to the reigning title holders and fellow Scudetto aspirants Napoli - the Lupi were actually just one point behind Massimiliano Allegri's side on December 15th, 2014.
From real Scudetto contenders in 2014 to pretenders in 2015
But how a Christmas break can make things go awry. After a frustrating draw with AC Milan prior to the holiday hiatus, Garcia's men began to fumble miserably. A win over Udinese on January 6th - albeit under controversial circumstances - would be the only positive aspect of 2015 until they scraped to a 2-1 win against Cagliari a month later in February.
And just as things appeared to maybe be getting back in order, Roma's title hopes suffered yet another dent as they shockingly dropped points against the likes of bottom-placed Parma, Chievo, Verona before being deservedly outclassed by a solidly performing Sampdoria side.
Roma were once flying high and had Juventus looking over their shoulders...but now it has all gone awry
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This, coupled with the ruthless form of Juventus, has seen the league title slip away. Dumped out of the Champions League, they feebly attempted to find their way in the continent's second-tier competition, but were blown away by Fiorentina at the Stadio Olimpico, much to the growing anger of their home crowd.
As a result, they now are in the uncomfortable position of having bitter city rivals Lazio just one point behind. A loss in this game, coupled with a win for the Bianconelesti will not just see them drop to third, but could be dangerously close to missing out on the Champions League alltogether should Sampdoria continue in their own rich vein of form.
Roma and Napoli's form has suffered recently and they now have pressure from Lazio and Fiorentina
Ahead of their big clash with Napoli - dubbed the Derby del Sole by some sections of the Italian press - Garcia, whose position has come under heavy scrutiny will be without a slew of players including Gervinho, Maicon, and Seydou Keita. The Ivorian, who has been in sparkling form since his forgettable days at Arsenal will definitely be missed, and talismanic captain Francesco Totti is not a 100 per cent guarantee, either.
Still, he does have options. Serbian international Adem Ljajic has proven to be an apt deputy when called upon, and Juan Iturbe has shown flashes of brilliance here and there. However, Seydou Doumbia, since arriving from Russian outfit CSKA Moscow has been nothing short of disappointing and now, more than ever will represent an opportunity to show Giallorossi fans why the club opted to part with an estimated £15.8 million for his services.
An opponent that seems always to find a way past them. Can the Stadio Olimpico serve as a good-luck charm?
Simply put, Napoli have enjoyed the upper hand over Roma, especially over their last three meetings. Partenopei fans will be certainly pleased when they look at the outcomes, as the team have outscored their upcoming hosts by six goals to nil in all competitions. The names Gonzalo Higuain and Jose Callejon are not two that will make Giallorossi fans sleep too well at night, given that they have combined to net five out of those six goals.
Higuain and Callejon have been causing Roma nightmares since last season
Yet, interestingly, all those wins have come at the Stadio San Paolo. The last tine Napoli defeated Roma in Rome was back on February 12, 2011 - prior to Rafa Benitez and Garcia both taking over their present positions. In their past trio of meetings at the Stadio Olimpico, the hosts have enjoyed three wins in all competitions, but a stadium itself, of course, cannot win a game for a team.
Nonetheless, Giallorossi supporters will be pleased to know this stat: Napoli have won only one out of their last 12 Serie A clashes with Roma at the Stadio Olimpico, losing seven and drawing the other four.
The hosts' scoreless run as of late against the Partenopei will obviously be a source of concern and Benitez's men also have their own European ambitions at stake prior to this clash. Although they are still in the Europa League, they cannot afford to slip up given that they are precariously poised between Sampdoria and Fiorentina.
A loss, coupled with a win for the Viola would see them drop into sixth and given their embarrassing draw against a 10-man Atalanta prior to the international break, they surely will be keen on moving on quickly by completing a "double" over Roma this afternoon.
Both teams certainly will have it all to do as they seek to revive what has been largely disappointing domestic campaigns so far. From a neutral perspective, it looks all set to be an interesting tactical battle between Garcia and Benitez, two coaches whose futures with their respective clubs have been subject to speculation, especially over the past few months.
