Napoli tackle Roma on Monday night in a crucial clash with huge ramifications regardless of the result. The fixture in Naples could prove decisive in both teams’ seasons, with Napoli bidding for a first Scudetto since 1990 while Roma seek to qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the first time in four seasons.
Luciano Spalletti’s side are currently trailing 2nd-placed Inter Milan by three points, having played 32 games each, and are five points behind Serie A leaders AC Milan. Roma, meanwhile, are six points adrift 4th-placed Juventus ahead of this evening’s meeting at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
Roma travel to Napoli tonight, Jose has only won one match against the #SerieA top six 😲 pic.twitter.com/12Nq1m6Hgb
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) April 18, 2022
A positive result at Napoli will be crucial for Roma’s aspirations of Champions League football next season. Jose Mourinho’s men are unbeaten in their last 11 league matches, during which time the Giallorossi have picked up 25 points with seven wins and four draws. On the other hand, Napoli have won just half of their last eight league games which also saw the Partenopei draw with Inter and fall to both of AC Milan and Fiorentina.
Should either Napoli or Roma falter, there are a handful of others chomping at the bit for the chance to capitalise on a strong finish to the Serie A campaign. A defeat for Napoli would all but end their title hopes while leaving Juventus three points shy of the Blues, and it would also take Roma within six points of their Monday night opponents after 33 games apiece.
Should Napoli come away with victory, Fiorentina and Lazio would both be one point behind Roma (Fiorentina having played one game fewer) while Atalanta would sit six points off 5th place with two games in hand over Roma (one of them being versus Verona right after the Derby Del Sole ends).
Another critical factor to consider ahead of the late season run-in would have to be the remaining fixtures of all the teams in question. Two of Juventus’ next three fixtures are against teams currently in the bottom three, but the Old Lady’s last two games of the season sees them face Lazio and Fiorentina – both of whom are Europa League hopefuls.
Roma travel to title contenders Inter next weekend and to Fiorentina a fortnight later. Their remaining three tasks this term are all against teams currently in the bottom half of the table, including a home fixture versus relegation-bound Venezia. Fiorentina are unbeaten in their last six games and next face bottom club Salernitana followed by 12th-placed Udinese. Beyond that the men in purple have a handful of tough challenges including a trip to AC Milan and a home tie with Roma before an all-important meeting with Juventus on the closing day of the season.
Lazio are braced with a home clash with AC Milan as well as an outing to Juventus on the penultimate matchday of the campaign. Lazio are also to contend with Spezia and Sampdoria whom are both within the bottom six. Atalanta have one win in their last five games however all but one of their final six games come against bottom-half clubs. The Bergamo-based team visit AC Milan one week before the season comes to a close.
Of the top three, Inter have the smoothest schedule on paper. The Nerazzurri host former manager Mourinho and his Roma side next weekend and their remaining five fixtures are all versus teams currently occupying places 12-17. Local rivals AC Milan do not have it so easy, with all of their final five matches pitting the Rossoneri against top-half clubs including the likes of Lazio, Fiorentina and Atalanta.
