Serie A: Defence Meets Offence on Saturday Night

Serie A: Defence Meets Offence on Saturday Night

Hellas Verona vs Napoli

Two different styles of football are in for a collision course as Hellas Verona host Napoli this weekend.

The Gialloblu will aim to gain more points as they try to improve their position in the Italian top-flight standings, and it is also the same objective for Napoli as they continue to vie for this season’s Scudetto.

Hellas Verona are placed ninth with 27 points, while Napoli are six notches above them with 34 points. Both are fresh from losses in the last time out so they are keen for a bounce back performance.

The hosts, whose form have been inconsistent to start 2021, will have their work cut out for them as their visitors are in imperious form here in Serie A.

Napoli have won three of their last five league games while producing a lot of goals and topnotch Serie A 2021 highlights, so their resolute backline will be tested here.

This should be a fun matchup to forward to if you’re an avid football fan, so read on as SBOTOP has you covered with the latest match preview.

Talking Points

Hellas Verona might lose a key piece

The Gialloblu will have to deal with their concerns on and off the pitch prior to this weekend fixture.

On the pitch, their attacking prowess needs improving as they are currently the fourth-worst scoring team in Italian top-flight with 22 goals so far.

Hellas Verona have a couple of capable goalscorers that can bring problems to the opposing defence, but their production needs to increase in order to get more wins.

Mattia Zaccagni has been a force in the midfield and he is their main protagonist with four goals and six assists, while his midfield partner Antonin Barak is right behind him with three goals and one assist.

Full-back Federico Dimarco emerged as a budding star for head coach Ivan Juric by being their third leading scorer, and for sure he will garner some interest in the ongoing transfer window.

Speaking of gaining interest in the transfer market, Mattia Zaccagni has been the recipient of such over these past few weeks as AC Milan, AS Roma, Lazio, and Inter Milan are all keen on securing the 25-year-old’s services.

His agent Tullio Tinti believes that Zaccagni is due for a huge payday, so moving on to a bigger club makes sense for his client.

Either way, Zaccagni shouldn’t be distracted since he is still obliged to perform for Hellas Verona as playing well would boost his stock even further.

Napoli look to move up

Despite winning three of their last five matches, Gennaro Gattuso is not content with his side’s overall form.

That is because they are coming off of a stinging loss against Juventus in their Supercoppa Italiana Final rematch last Wednesday night.

After a long, grueling slugfest, I Bianconeri broke the deadlock in the 64^th minute when the great Cristiano Ronaldo pounced from close range.

Napoli had a chance to draw level when Dries Mertens was fouled in the box, but Lorenzo Insigne botched his penalty attempt.

Juventus put the nail in the coffin during added time when they broke on the counter and Alvaro Morata doubled their lead.

Prior to Wednesday, I Partenopei were one of the biggest winners from last week as they handed Fiorentina a 6-0 beatdown.

Skipper Lorenzo Insigne spearheaded the charge with a brace while Hirving Lozano, Diego Demme, Matteo Politano, and Piotr Zielinski also found the back of the net.

Napoli are hopeful to regain such form ahead of this weekend showdown.

History

The Gialloblu are going to be in for a long night since the Partenopei have been historically dominant against them in recent years.

In their last 19 matches together, Napoli have won in 13 games while Hellas Verona have only won twice along with four draws.

Napoli have not conceded a single goal from Hellas Verona in their last three encounters, finishing with an aggregate tally of 6-0.

The Gialloblu’s last victory in this matchup dates back to March 2015 where they outclassed them 2-0 through Luca Toni’s brace.

Betting Tip

Napoli Asian Handicap -0.50 @ 1.74

The Serie A 2021 odds have the road side as the clear favourites to win in this upcoming fixture.

Napoli are priced at 1.74 to win, while Hellas Verona are pegged at 4.50 and chances for a draw are at 3.65 in the 1X2 market.

While Hellas Verona’s defensive chops are proven and tested so far this season, Napoli have the personnel to break them down eventually.

A win here would surely help Napoli’s cause and their title odds should increase even more after this contest.

Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.

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