Verdict: Napoli win & Both teams to score

Best Odds: 7/2

Bookmaker: Luckster

Desperately searching for an essential boost on Saturday evening, Napoli will travel to the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi when the meet Verona.

Verona

Starting with the hosts, enduring what has been a public Serie A crisis this season, Verona have broken a string of unwanted records and they sit rock-bottom of the table. Rightfully regarded as a landslide relegation contender, the Mastiffs open this weekend’s fixtures sat nine points adrift of safety and they look set to lose their top-flight status with a whimper. Last seen putting in another nightmare performance as they slumped to a 3-0 defeat against Sassuolo, interim boss Paolo Sammarco has an almighty job on his hands. Signing off January with a 4-0 drumming against Cagliari, Verona have mustered just a single point from any of their previous five Serie A appearances. Likewise, Saturday’s hosts have failed to win any of their last 11 consecutive top-flight showdowns (nine defeats, two draws).

Verona Team News

Shown a dramatic late red card during last weekend’s 3-0 defeat away at Sassuolo, former Monaco midfielder Al Musrati will miss out through suspension here. Likewise, currently serving his own respective two-match ban, ex-Hoffenheim striker Gift Orban will once again miss out on Saturday evening.

Sustaining a knee injury against Parma on February 15th, former Hertha Berlin star Suat Serdar will not play any part this weekend. Making his move to Veneto a permanent one last month, one-time Southampton defender Armel Bella-Kotchap will start at the heart of Verona’s defence.

Napoli

As for the visitors, while Napoli might have made real history last season as they secured a fourth Serie A crown, Antonio Conte’s side have already accepted that they will relinquish their iconic title in 2026. Suddenly at the heart of what has become a public crisis, it has been suggested that the former Chelsea boss has some mounting pressure on his shoulders. Last seen suffering a major second-half collapse away at Atalanta as they slumped to a 2-1 loss in Bergamo, the soon-to-be former Italian champions are desperately searching for some kind of boost. However, watching their Coppa Italia adventure come to an end on February 10th as they suffered penalty shootout heartbreak at home against Como, Conte’s downbeat squad have won just a pair of their previous eight appearances across all competitions.

Napoli Team News

Not featuring across any competition since the end of October, former Manchester City superstar Kevin De Bruyne remains on the sidelines with a long-term thigh injury. However, in what could prove to be a much-welcomed boost, Napoli are hopeful that Scottish international Scott McTominay could make a first appearance since February 7th.

Registering 10 direct goal contributions (eight goals, two assists) in his 22 Serie A appearances this season, Manchester United loanee Rasmus Hojlund will lead the line here. Returning from a serious hamstring injury last month, Belgium international Romelu Lukaku should get some more minutes under his belt.

Verona vs Napoli Key Factors to Consider

• When Verona and Napoli met for their reverse Serie A showdown on January 7th, Saturday’s opponents played out a thrilling 2-2 stalemate in Naples.
• Napoli have recorded just a pair of wins from any of their previous eight appearances across all competitions.
• Saturday’s hosts have failed to win any of their last 11 consecutive top-flight showdowns (nine defeats, two draws).
• The reigning Serie A champions have failed to record a single clean sheet from any of their last eight matchups across all fronts.
• Manchester United loanee Rasmus Hojlund has registered 10 direct goal contributions (eight goals, two assists) in his 22 Serie A appearances this season.
• Verona have registered just one-point from any of their previous five consecutive Serie A matchups in front of their own supporters.

Conclusion

Already accepting that they will relinquish their Serie A crown this season, Napoli are desperately searching for an essential boost here. With it suggested that Conte has some serious pressure mounting on his shoulders, the soon-to-be former Italian champions have also shown some extended defensive issues. However, meeting a Verona squad that are already planning for life back in Italy’s second-tier, Napoli are installed as a landslide contender and can’t afford to pass on what is a golden opportunity on their travels.

Verdict: Napoli win & Both teams to score

Best Odds: 7/2

Bookmaker: Luckster