Serie A Preview: Napoli vs Cremonese – Team News, Lineups & Prediction

Match Preview

Napoli

In addition to shattering Napoli’s unbeaten home league record this season (W11, D4), Lazio have exposed the Partenopei to the risk of losing back-to-back Serie A matches for the first time since December 2023. However, Conte’s men have recently reigned supreme in this fixture.

December’s comfortable 2-0 triumph at Stadio Giovanni Zini extended their winning streak against Cremonese to four matches in all competitions. Furthermore, Napoli emerged victorious from the last three league meetings between the sides, with each victory coming by multi-goal margins.

It’s also worth noting that Napoli had won three successive home league games before losing to Lazio. Still, with all three wins yielding a single-goal margin, it’s fair to say that they’ve been far from their dominant best at the Maradona Stadium.

Nonetheless, another win would all but seal Napoli’s top-four finish, as they already boast a handsome eight-point lead over fifth-placed Como.

Cremonese

Eager to avoid an immediate return to Serie B, Cremonese must find a way to overcome a full-blown crisis. Indeed, they have won just one of their last 19 matches (D5, L13), though that solitary triumph came under new manager Giampaolo (W1, D1, L2).

With Lecce keen to pounce on their potential slip-up, La Cremo must defy their unimpressive away record against sides starting this round in the top seven. They’ve claimed just four points from six such fixtures this season (W1, D1, L4), highlighting the size of the task awaiting Giampaolo’s lads today.

Adding to this sentiment, Cremonese’s last top-flight win over Napoli came all the way back in September 1994. Moreover, they’ve failed to beat the Partenopei away from home in all 12 previous encounters across either Serie A or Serie B (D2, L10).

It’s virtually impossible to imagine Cremonese turning their fortunes around now, given that they’ve lost seven of their eight away league games since the start of the calendar year (W1).

Team News

Napoli welcomed starting center-back Amir Rrahmani back to the bench last weekend after a seven-game absence. However, Conte is still unable to call upon his captain, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, and star striker Romelu Lukaku. Quicksilver forward David Neres and emerging talent Antonio Vergara are also unavailable for selection, with Kevin De Bruyne and Scott McTominay expected to start behind Rasmus Hojlund.

As for Cremonese, veteran goal-getter Jamie Vardy remains on the sidelines with a muscle injury. Antonio Sanabria is likely to lead the line alongside Federico Bonazzoli in the Englishman’s absence. Meanwhile, Michele Collocolo won’t return before the start of next month, with Faris Moumbagna and Morten Thorsby facing minor fitness problems.

Napoli vs Cremonese Potential Starting Lineups

Napoli (3-4-2-1): Milinkovic-Savic; Rrahmani, Buongiorno, Olivera; Politano, Anguissa, Lobotka, Spinazzola; De Bruyne, McTominay; Hojlund.

Cremonese (4-4-2): Audero; Terracciano, Baschirotto, Luperto, Pezzella; Zerbin, Grassi, Maleh, Vandeputte; Bonazzoli, Sanabria.

Napoli vs Cremonese Prediction

Despite being on the verge of surrendering the Scudetto to Inter, Napoli should still bow out in style. Conte’s charges boast far superior quality and a dominant recent record in this fixture, which should see them claim a routine victory and keep their top-four push firmly on track.