Napoli (foto: Official TW/IG/FB account)
Will Fiorentina prevail against the main Scudetto contenders?
When it comes to accurate football predictions, the upcoming Serie A showdown between Fiorentina and Napoli is a prime example of a match that demands careful analysis. Led by the experienced David De Gea, Fiorentina boasts one of the strongest defenses in Serie A, while Napoli, under Antonio Contes’ leadership, has been consistently delivering impressive performances. The clash promises a riveting battle of tactical brilliance. The key factors, current form, and weak points that could influence the outcome of the match are discussed below.
Fiorentina
The host team did not approach the upcoming match in the best shape. In the last three matches across all competitions, they suffered two defeats and managed only a draw against Vitoria Guimaraes (1:1) in the Conference League. In Serie A, head coach Palladino's charges could not overcome Bologna (0:1) and Udinese (1:2). After these results, Fiorentina dropped to 5th place in the standings with 31 points. Despite this, Fiorentina remains in the
European cup zone and continues to fight for top positions.
Fiorentina rarely concedes goals. After 16 matches, they have allowed only 13, the second-best record in Serie A, just behind Napoli (12). This success can be attributed to the resurrected David De Gea in Florence. The 34-year-old Spaniard leads the top five leagues in save percentage (83%). However, in the last three games, Fiorentina have not kept a clean sheet.
Napoli
Last weekend, Napoli secured three important points against Udinese. Having conceded a penalty in the 22nd minute, Napoli had an overwhelming advantage for the rest of the time, and scored three unanswered goals. Notably, Romelu Lukaku distinguished himself again, scoring his sixth goal of the season and breaking into the top of Napoli’s scoring chart.
Under the leadership of Antonio Conte, Napoli continues to show confident play in the championship. The team looks strong and balanced with 11 victories in 16 rounds, placing them among the title contenders. Conte has brought solid tactical discipline and organization in the team, reflecting in both defensive and offensive actions. Napoli has scored 24 goals while conceding only 11, showcasing a good balance between the lines.
One of the key advantages is cohesive teamwork and ability to control the course of the match, especially in periods when the opponent tries to put pressure. Strong-willed victories, such as 3:1 against Udinese, show that the team is capable of recouping and finds strength for decisive strikes.
Napoli’s defensive line, aside from a penalty conceded for handball, did not allow Udinese to create significant threats near Alex Meret's goal. Napoli's defense is rightfully considered one of the strongest in the league and rarely concedes. However, Napoli suffered a significant loss with a back injury, sustained in training, of key central defender Alessandro Buongiorno, who will be sidelined for at least a month.
Match prediction
The last matches between the opponents have been high-scouring, with at least three goals. However, this season, Fiorentina is the second most reliable defensive team in Serie A, conceding an average of 0.81 goals per game. Additionally, their goalkeeper, De Gea, leads the top leagues in terms of save percentage. Taking this into account, a bet on a total under 2 goals seems like a calculated risk.