Napoli vs Sassuolo 26/07/20

26 July 2020

Napoli and Sassuolo go head-to-head at the Stadio San Paolo this weekend, as the traveling side hope to put an end to a frustrating eight-game winless run in their Serie A H2Hs (D4, L4).

A 2-1 away loss to Parma last time out has brought Napoli’s five-game unbeaten run in Serie A to a halt (W3, D2), as the hosts enter the round three points behind sixth-placed Milan. Interestingly, all four of the results during the abovementioned five-game sequence featured the identical 2-1 scoreline, which has been true in four of Napoli’s five top-flight home wins this calendar year. Despite preventing Sassuolo from scoring in both of their previous competitive home H2Hs (W2), it will be a daunting prospect for Napoli to keep a clean sheet here. Indeed, they’ve conceded at least one goal in each of their last 11 Serie A home matches. Particularly vulnerable after the break, the ‘Partenopei’ have shipped 60.87% (14) of the 23 Serie A home goals conceded in the second half of play.

On the other hand, the visitors take the field after failing to pick up three points in their last three Serie A outings (D2, L1), with each of those encounters seeing both teams score. Notably, nine of Sassuolo’s ten league matches post restart have featured over 2.5 goals and both sides scoring, which has been true in just two of their six top-flight H2Hs held at this venue (D2, L4). In fact, a genuine lack of defensive quality has seen Sassuolo fail to keep a clean sheet in nine of their last ten Serie A trips, conceding an average of 1.7 goals across those clashes. But, the ‘Neroverdi’ must be certain of getting on the scoresheet here after netting over 1.5 goals in five of their last seven Serie A away fixtures.