FC Crotone
vs
SSC Napoli
Kick-off
19:45 GMT
29 December 2017
After AC Milan shocked Inter in the Coppa Italia on Wednesday night, normal business resumes in the Serie A this week and the only match on Friday sees Napoli travel to Crotone expecting a big win. The visitors are top of the table with just a point separating them from second-placed Juventus while the hosts are one place above the relegation zone, outside just on goal difference.
This fixture will be just the third Serie A meeting between the sides after Crotone spent a large part of their history in Serie B. Napoli won both Serie A clashes last term and in the most recent one, at the Stadio San Paolo, a brace from Lorenzo Insigne and Mertens goal handed them a 3-0 lead. It was much closer in the return fixture and it finished 2-1, Napoli’s task was made harder by the dismissal of Manolo Gabbiadini. Crotone have scored just four times in the six past meetings while Napoli have scored nine.
The most unlikely victories for the hosts in this one could see them go 15th in Serie A but they won’t be hopeful of any kind of result. Their only injury is Marco Tumminello while Arlind Ajeti is suspended for the match. Latest matches: FC Crotone
23.12.2017
Seri
Lazio Roma
FC Crotone
4:0
L
17.12.2017
Seri
FC Crotone
AC Chievo Verona
1:0
W
10.12.2017
Seri
US Sassuolo
FC Crotone
2:1
L
04.12.2017
Seri
FC Crotone
Udinese Calcio
0:3
L
30.11.2017
Copp
Genoa FC
FC Crotone
1:0
L
Napoli must win to ensure they are top by the end of matchweek 19 and they will be expecting to do just that. They haven’t got any notable absences as Faouzi Ghoulam and Arkadiusz Milik are both injured. Mario Rui is suspended and won’t feature.
Latest matches: SSC Napoli
23.12.2017 | Seri | SSC Napoli | Sampdoria Genoa | 3:2 | W |
19.12.2017 | Copp | SSC Napoli | Udinese Calcio | 1:0 | W |
16.12.2017 | Seri | Turin FC | SSC Napoli | 1:3 | W |
10.12.2017 | Seri | SSC Napoli | AC Fiorentina | 0:0 | D |
06.12.2017 | UEFA | Feyenoord Rotterdam | SSC Napoli | 2:1 | L |
There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that Napoli should win this match very comfortably and it won’t be pleasant for the Crotone fans to watch. The hosts will be lucky to have any chances against one of Europe’s strongest sides while the visitors should have far too much quality on show to overcome one of Serie A’s weaker sides.
29 December 2017 - 19:45 GMT
Share your opinion about this preview by leaving a comment below.