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Torino logo
Serie A | Gameweek 14
Dec 1, 2024 at 2pm UK
Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino
Napoli logo

Torino
0 - 1
Napoli


Walukiewicz (39'), Holmgren Pedersen (41'), Coco (56'), Ricci (84')
FT(HT: 0-1)

Preview: Torino vs. Napoli - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Serie A clash between Torino and Napoli, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Engaged in a multi-club battle for top spot, Napoli will continue their quest to regain the Serie A title on Sunday afternoon, when they visit Torino.

While the Azzurri are flying high after beating Roma last week, Toro have produced just one goal and one point from their last four matches.


Match preview

Romelu Lukaku of Napoli on September 21, 2024© Imago

Rising back to the Serie A summit, Napoli spoiled Claudio Ranieri's emotional return to the Roma hotseat last week, with a 1-0 victory in this season's first Derby del Sole.

Having dominated both possession and territory throughout the clubs' contest at Stadio Maradona, Antonio Conte's side were rewarded when ex-Roma striker Romelu Lukaku converted a Giovanni Di Lorenzo cross early in the second half.

Following their latest success, Napoli have kept eight clean sheets so far, which is only fewer than shutout specialists Juventus (10) across Europe's top five leagues; in fact, they have conceded just once in the first half of away games, ahead of travelling to Turin.

One of six teams separated by four points in a congested Scudetto race, the Azzurri have now won eight of nine home fixtures in league and cup since Conte took charge, but - despite a fine defensive record - they have been slightly less successful on the road.

There is now an opportunity to improve their away form, as after tackling Torino they must meet Lazio in Rome, with a place in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals at stake.

Although Napoli lost their most recent encounter with Toro at Stadio Olimpico Grande - going down 3-0 in January - they had won on seven of their previous eight visits and will start as strong favourites.

Samuele Ricci of Torino on September 24, 2024© Imago

Torino actually went unbeaten against Napoli last season, after a prior run of five consecutive defeats, so they can now try to go three without losing to their Campanian counterparts for the first time since 2012.

However, recent form suggests that may be a tall order, as Paolo Vanoli's team last tasted success in October and have slipped into the bottom half of the Serie A standings.

After accruing 11 points across the first five matchdays, Torino took just four from the next eight: only rock-bottom Venezia have collected as few during that period.

Having entered the last international break on a run of three straight defeats - including another Derby della Mole loss to city rivals Juventus - the Granata were held to a 1-1 draw by lowly Monza last weekend.

Already eliminated from the Coppa Italia after losing at home to Empoli, Vanoli's men are lacking in both goals and confidence; and when meeting his former Italy and Chelsea colleague Conte, the ex-Venezia boss will expect no favours.

Torino Serie A form:

Napoli Serie A form:


Team News

Napoli coach Antonio Conte on November 3, 2024© Imago

Napoli's only absentee should be reserve full-back Pasquale Mazzocchi, who sustained a leg injury last time out, so Antonio Conte may name an unchanged starting XI on Sunday.

Free from the need to rotate after the Azzurri missed out on European qualification last season, he has generally named the same back four, while Scott McTominay supports a familiar front three with runs from midfield.

Reported Manchester United target and chief creator Khvicha Kvaratskhelia joins Matteo Politano and Romelu Lukaku in the final third, with the latter hoping to add to his tally of nine Serie A goal involvements against Torino.

Alessandro Buongiorno - who came through Toro's primavera, before making 99 league appearances for the club - will helm the visitors' defence on his return to Stadio Olimpico Grande.

Perr Schuurs and Duvan Zapata - who are at different stages of recovering from an ACL injury - are unavailable for the hosts, but Ivan Ilic may be back in the squad following a hamstring problem.

In attack, Che Adams should link up with Antonio Sanabria, who has scored in three of his last four appearances against Napoli in Serie A, including both games last season.


Torino possible starting lineup:
Milinkovic-Savic; Walukiewicz, Coco, Masina; Pedersen, Vlasic, Ricci, Gineitis, Lazaro; Adams, Sanabria

Napoli possible starting lineup:
Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Buongiorno, Olivera; Anguissa, Lobotka; Politano, McTominay, Kvaratskhelia; Lukaku


SM words green background

We say: Torino 0-1 Napoli

Torino and Napoli have both recorded four victories by a one-goal margin this season - only Lazio had more after 13 Serie A matches - so it could be a closely fought contest.

As the away side are proving so difficult to beat - and Toro have slumped badly since the end of September - expect Conte and co to leave Turin with maximum points.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


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Written by
Jonathan O'Shea

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Game History

How you voted: Torino vs Napoli

Torino
17.7%
Draw
11.4%
Napoli
70.9%
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rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Napoli20152332122047
2Inter Milan19135148173144
3Atalanta BCAtalanta20134344212343
4Lazio2011363428636
5Juventus20713032171534
6Fiorentina1995532201232
7AC Milan1987429191031
8Bologna197932925430
9Roma217683127427
10Udinese207582328-526
11Genoa215881830-1223
12Torino205782025-522
13Empoli204881925-620
14Lecce2055101432-1820
15Parma204792535-1019
16Como204792233-1119
17Hellas VeronaHellas Verona2061132444-2019
18CagliariCagliari2046101933-1418
19VeneziaVenezia2035121833-1514
20Monza2027111928-913


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