Napoli vs Roma: Spalletti faces former side as Napoli aim to extend gap - January 29th

January 28, 2023 By Michelle Bonsu

Topics: TV Schedules, TV Listings, Napoli, Roma, Serie A

League leaders Napoli will take on Roma in the latest installment of the Derby del Sole on Sunday, January 29th.

With a 12 point lead over the chasing pack, and just one defeat so far all season, Napoli are continuing to march towards what would be their first Scudetto in over 30 years. The Partenopei notably crushed Juventus 5-1 in their last home game to end La Vecchia Signora's eight match winning streak sans conceding a goal, and come into their upcoming match against Roma having won four of their last five Serie A ties.

However, Roma, while they are a whopping 13 points behind their upcoming hosts, come into this contest in a solid vein of form. Jose Mourinho's side have won three of their last four league games, and they have really improved defensively since the start of 2023, with clean sheets in all but one of their last five matches. That record will certainly come under threat on Sunday, especially considering that Napoli are unbeaten in eight of their last nine meetings against Roma.

In addition, Mourinho has a frustrating record when facing Luciano Spalletti, with just one win against the Italian tactician to date - which took place nearly 15 years ago in October 2008. The Partenopei are unbeaten in their last four home games against the Giallorossi and have already beaten them in the reverse fixture earlier this season. To date, Napoli are only the fifth side in Serie A history to win 16 of their first 19 fixtures, and having picked up 50 points, are looking increasingly likely to win their first Scudetto in 33 years.

Indeed, no team have earned 50 points at this juncture and failed to win it, but Napoli, having come up short in recent seasons, certainly will not be leaving anything to chance when Roma come to town on Sunday.

Team news: Napoli vs Roma

Napoli: The hosts have been given a huge boost with the return of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia following an absence due to illness; the Georgian international has been key to the team's free-flowing attack due to his dynamic partnership with current Capocannoniere leader Victor Osimhen.

Roma: Both Rick Karsdorp and Nicolo Zaniolo have been effectively frozen out of the team after squabbles with Mourinho, while Georginio Wijnaldum is still out injured and Zeki Celik is currently suspended.

Match facts: Napoli vs Roma

Napoli are unbeaten in eight of their last nine Serie A matches against Roma (W5 D3), with Roma's sole win during that run being a 2-1 victory in November 2019 at the Stadio Olimpico
Jose Mourinho has won just 20 per cent of his matches so far against Luciano Spalletti, with his only win being in October 2008