Prediction: Napoli vs Roma

Verdict: Draw

Best odds: 19/10

Bookmaker: ZetBet

Two top‑four hopefuls meet at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Sunday evening, as reigning Serie A champions Napoli host Roma in the latest edition of the Derby del Sole.

After their midweek Coppa Italia heartbreak, Napoli enter this clash knowing that defeat would allow their visitors to draw level on points.

Napoli

Napoli’s European elimination earlier in the season added to Antonio Conte’s ongoing struggles in continental competition, but he had still been targeting a domestic treble across his first two campaigns in Naples. Having won the Scudetto last term and added the Supercoppa Italiana in December, Napoli were hoping to progress to the Coppa Italia semi-finals when they hosted high‑flying Como on Tuesday.

Instead, they were stunned. Cesc Fàbregas’s men knocked Napoli out 7‑6 on penalties after an intense contest. Romelu Lukaku missed his spot kick and Stanislav Lobotka saw his decisive effort saved, abruptly ending the champions’ cup ambitions and shifting full focus back onto their top‑four battle.

Napoli have strengthened their grip on third place recently, securing back-to-back league wins. While an unlikely title push cannot be fully dismissed, both Milan clubs are firm favourites to contest the Scudetto.

Recent performances have required grit as much as quality. After edging past Fiorentina, Napoli endured a chaotic trip to revitalised Genoa. They overturned an early deficit before seeing Scott McTominay limp off and Juan Jesus sent off, only to prevail thanks to Rasmus Højlund’s controversial late penalty—ending his Serie A drought for 2026 and earning his fifth brace of the season across all competitions.

Now unbeaten in 22 home league matches, Napoli head into the Derby del Sole confident of maintaining their long-running Maradona fortress. They also aim to complete a league double over Roma after winning the reverse fixture earlier in the campaign.

Team News

McTominay is expected to recover from the issue that ruled him out of the Como defeat, offering much-needed relief for Conte. Napoli remain without several key figures: Kevin De Bruyne, Frank Anguissa, Billy Gilmour, captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo and winger David Neres—who scored the winner in November—are all sidelined.

Juan Jesus is suspended following last week’s red card, but former Roma players Lukaku and Leonardo Spinazzola should feature. Lukaku is still regaining match sharpness after a lengthy layoff, so Højlund will again spearhead the attack.

Roma

Roma have beaten Napoli just once in their last 12 league meetings and have not claimed victory in Naples since 2017. Even so, Gian Piero Gasperini’s side travel south with the chance to draw level with the champions.

Roma ended a three‑match winless run on Monday evening, overcoming in‑form Cagliari at the Olimpico thanks to a Donyell Malen brace. Their 46‑point haul after 24 Serie A fixtures is their best tally at this stage since 2016–17.

Gasperini’s defensive imprint has been striking. Roma boast the best backline in Serie A, conceding only 14 goals, and they remain the only team in the league not to have given away a penalty this season. Such consistency and discipline have placed them firmly among the contenders for Champions League qualification—though Napoli, Juventus, Como and Atalanta all remain in the mix.

However, Roma’s struggles against top sides have been evident. They have collected just one point from five matches against the current top five, scoring only twice. Napoli, by contrast, have taken 10 points from six such fixtures this season.

Team News

Malen is set to lead the line once more after his match‑winning display. Paulo Dybala has shaken off a minor knee problem and may start alongside him, potentially benching Lorenzo Pellegrini.

Roma remain without Manu Koné, Stephan El Shaarawy, Evan Ferguson and Artem Dovbyk, but Robino Vaz and Mario Hermoso could return to the squad.

Head‑to‑Head

Napoli have dominated recent editions of the Derby del Sole, winning the reverse fixture in November and going unbeaten in 11 of the last 12 league meetings.

Roma’s last win in Naples came seven years ago, and recent scorelines have often been tight, reflecting the tactical nature of this rivalry rather than high-scoring drama.

Conclusion

Sunday’s showdown promises a cerebral tactical contest between two of Italy’s most experienced coaches. Roma rarely concede more than once and arrive with the league’s strongest defence, while Napoli have struggled for clean sheets but remain formidable at the Maradona.

With both sides well‑matched and defensively organised, a low‑scoring draw appears the most likely outcome.

Verdict: Draw

Best odds: 19/10

Bookmaker: ZetBet