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Como are set to lock horns will Scudetto holders Napoli to fight for a place in the Champions League next season when they meet this Saturday at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia.
Cesc Fàbregas’ ambitions of taking his side to the Champions League are taking shape, but he has only four games left in the campaign to achieve that goal. Como broke a three-game winless streak in the league in their previous outing, thanks to a 2-0 victory over Genoa. Anastasios Douvikas and Assane Diao were on the scoresheet for the Lariani as they went level on points (61) with Roma in 5th-place, three points away from 4th-placed Juventus.
Como fans were dealt a heartbreak earlier this month as they saw their team go down by a 3-2 scoreline to Inter in the second leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final. The Nerazzurri had defeated Como just a league game before the knockout, and this weekend’s hosts are now hoping for a top-four finish to celebrate this season.
Meanwhile, Napoli aim to cap a rather disastrous Scudetto defence by finishing up as runners-up this campaign. Milan’s subpar performances midway through the season helped the Partenopei overtake Massimiliano Allegri’s men and go two points clear of their league rivals in second place. Inter have practically run away with the title, being ten points clear at the top, and they will officially lift the Scudetto with a win over Parma this weekend.
Like their weekend rivals, Antonio Conte’s men returned to winning ways in their last match after dropping points in two straight matches following a 1-0 victory over Milan at the beginning of this month. A 4-0 win over Cremonese ensured Napoli’s safe second-place position for now; however, things could quickly change if Milan surge back into form.
Results from their last five matches across all competitions
Como:
W L L L D
Napoli:
W L D W W
Team News
Anastasios Douvikas will keep his place in the starting line-up after stellar showings throughout the season. Nico Paz could start the game as he was passed fit after suffering a minor head injury against Genoa. Former Barcelona midfielder Sergi Roberto is still recovering from his injury and will be unavailable.
As for Napoli, Conte will be without the services of Romelu Lukaku due to a public fallout between the player and the club. Manchester United loanee Rasmus Højlund will start up front. No fresh injury concerns for the Neapolitans, except for Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Antonio Vergara and David Neres.
Predicted XIs
Como (4-2-3-1): Butez; Smolčić, Jacobo, Diego Carlos, Alex Valle; Perrone, Da Cunha; Diao, Caqueret, Baturina; Douvikas.
Napoli (3-4-2-1): Milinkovic-Savic; Mathias Olivera, Rrahmani, Buongiorno; Politano, Lobotka, McTominay, Miguel Gutierrez; De Bruyne, Alisson; Højlund.
Trambak Bhattacherjee | GIFN
