Napoli vs Verona prediction: ITALY: Serie A betting tips on match 2024-02-03 14:00.
Napoli’s 0-0 draw with Lazio last time out saw them fail to register a shot on target for the first time in a Serie A fixture since April 2012 during a game in which neither team seemed keen to push for victory. Starting the round just inside the top ten is a far cry from last season’s title-winning campaign and they even closed the transfer window on a downer after failing to sign some much-needed additional defensive cover.
As negotiations to extend forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s contract have reportedly stalled, the Partenopei face several challenges on and off the field, although scoring points at home has at least been something they’ve done successfully of late (W2, D1). They’ve been similarly strong against Verona too, against whom they haven’t lost at home since January 1983 (W16, D8), although the last three such meetings were all drawn – a result that probably wouldn’t be viewed in a positive light this time around by Napoli fans.
Talking of draws, Verona might feel unlucky to have shared the points with Frosinone over the weekend (D 1-1) after missing a first-half penalty and as a result, they start this round above the relegation zone by virtue of goal difference alone. Having sold top scorers Milan Ðurić and Cyril Ngonge (the latter to Napoli) over the winter, a difficult end to the season now looks likely, especially as one or both were on the scoresheet for each of their last three league wins!
Verona were able to add some fresh attackers to their ranks as the transfer window closed at least, which should give the Gialloblu fans hope as they hunt for a first away league win since beating Empoli in mid-August (D2, L8). As they’ve only once scored multiple times in a Serie A road game this term, goals were already a problem when travelling before they offloaded Ðurić and Ngonge!
Players to watch: Like Ngonge, Giovanni Simeone moved from Verona to Napoli and will aim to hurt his former club after his last two goals opened the scoring within the first 25 minutes. One of Verona’s January arrivals, Elayis Tavşan, has scored in three of his last six appearances, twice between the 35th minute and half-time.
Hot stat: Verona possess the league’s worst first-half record ahead of this matchday (HT: W3, D8, L11).