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After a slow start to the season and a difficult summer transfer window, Napoli have hit a groove under the management of Antonio Conte as they now welcome Cesc Fabregas’ Como to Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
KICK-OFF DATE/TIME: Friday 4th October, 2024 - UK – 5:30pm / US ET – 12:30pm / US PT – 9:30am
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: CONTE’S INFLUENCE
Following on from the abject defence of their Italian title last season whereby they finished ninth and missed out on any UEFA competition qualification, Napoli plumped for Antonio Conte and had to put up with his incessant whinging throughout the summer which did bleed into early performances and a poor opening day result.
However, following the spending of £100 million, things have begun to turnaround for the Neapolitans. They come into this one on the back of a comfortable 2-0 defeat of Monza in Naples last weekend with goals coming from Matteo Politano and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, leaving them top-of-the-table ahead of this weekend’s round of fixtures.
COMO PREVIEW: CESC’S COMO
Como gained promotion last season with Cesc Fabregas not officially in charge of the ambitious club. He eventually officially completed his coaching badges over the summer and replaced Oisin Roberts, who has returned to being Head of Development. Things started slowly but have really taken shape now six games into the season.
After beginning with just two points from their opening four matches of the campaign, the visitors now come into this one on the back of back-to-back victories. They have enjoyed successive 3-2 wins with the first coming in Bergamo against Atalanta before then turning over Hellas Verona at Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia last weekend.
NAPOLI TEAM NEWS: STILL NO MERET
Italy international Alex Meret has been and remains Napoli’s number one goalkeeper but he remains unavailable for the hosts due to a muscle injury ahead of this one.
The form of former Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay has been very impressive since arriving and he is becoming a guaranteed starter for Conte.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Caprile; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Buongiorno, Olivera; Anguissa, Lobotka, McTominay; Politano, Lukaku, Kvaratskhelia
UNAVAILABLE: Meret (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
COMO TEAM NEWS: FULLY FIT COMO
Ahead of the weekend’s trip to Naples, Cesc Fabregas’ Como have a fully fit and available squad so will not have to make any changes to their side after back-to-back victories.
The likes of Nico Paz and Sergi Roberto have begun to become essential and show their quality following the unfortunate and premature retirement of Raphael Varane.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Audero; Van Der Brempt, Dossena, Kempf, Moreno; Roberto, Perrone; Strefezza, Paz, Fadera; Cutrone
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
NAPOLI VS COMO PREDICTION
This is a really intriguing clash on Friday evening. On paper, Napoli should wipe the floor with a Como side that have just gained promotion to the top-flight. However, whilst Napoli have been genuinely good for the last month or so, top-of-the-table still seems an ambitious target to cling onto, whilst Como have majorly improved, albeit in some topsy turvy encounters. Napoli, especially with home advantage, should still get the three points here.
NAPOLI VS COMO TIP: NAPOLI TO WIN