Napoli vs Cagliari Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Antonio Conte and his Napoli side know they simply have to win this weekend to win a fourth ever Serie A title as the Partenopei welcome Cagliari to Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – Select matches will be televised on CBS Sports so it is worth checking their schedule
How to watch online: UK – OneFootball / US – Paramount+
Napoli preview: Going for glory
Napoli winning anything often results in reports of seismic activity in the city of Naples and that could well be the case on Friday as Antonio Conte’s side head into the final day of the campaign sitting at the top-of-the-table, just a point clear of defending champions Internazionale.
The Neapolitans come into this one on the back of back-to-back draws that have been let off with Inter also drawing last week. In a clash at the Ennio Tardini against relegation-battling Parma last weekend, Napoli could only managed a hard-fought goalless draw.
Cagliari preview: Silky Sardinians
Throughout this season Cagliari have flirted with the relegation battle in Serie A with former Benevento and Salernitana boss Davide Nicola at the helm, who is famed for producing so-called ‘great escapes’ with those two sides as well as with Empoli last season.
After a tricky run of form over the last couple of months, the Sardinians endured their top-flight status last weekend and also turned on the style as they defeated Venezia by three goals to nil at the Sardegna Arena with some simply superb moves in that victory.
Napoli team news: Still no Lobotka
Slovakia international midfielder Stanislav Lobotka is a key man for Napoli but he is once again sidelined for the hosts due to an ankle injury. Defensive duo Alessandro Buongiorno and Juan Jesus are also sidelined for Napoli.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Mathias Olivera, Spinazzola; Anguissa, Gilmour; Politano, Raspadori, McTominay; Lukaku
Unavailable: Buongiorno (Injured), Juan Jesus (Injured), Lobotka (Injured)
Questionable:
Cagliari team news: Pavoletti suspended
Ahead of their final trip across to the mainland this season, Cagliari striker Leonardo Pavoletti remains suspended for the visitors this weekend. Angola international striker Zito Luvumbo is also now, once again, an injury doubt for Cagliari.
Predicted XI (4-4-1-1): Caprile; Zappa, Palomino, Obert, Augello; Zortea, Adopo, Makoumbou, Marin; Viola; Piccoli
Unavailable: Pavoletti (Suspended)
Questionable: Zito Luvumbo (Injured)
Napoli vs Cagliari prediction
Napoli have not been thrilling throughout the campaign and it can even be argued they have rarely, if ever, actually played well in terms of their performance level. However, in typical Conte style, they have been grinding out victories. Cagliari have very little to play for and perhaps gave their standout send off to their supporters for the summer last weekend and Napoli would have to be viewed as favourites to claim a second Scudetto in their last three seasons.
Napoli vs Cagliari tip: Napoli to win to nil
