Our prediction
We are calling Napoli 1-1 Roma. The biggest reason is history: three of the last six meetings have finished level, including the most recent one at this ground, and Roma’s unbeaten start has leaned heavily on not losing rather than on winning big games.
Form guide
Napoli sit 9th with 10 points from six games (W3 D1 L2), scoring 10 and conceding 6. Their recent league results are solid: Napoli 1-0 Bologna, Fiorentina 1-1 Napoli and a comfortable Napoli 3-0 Frosinone. The concern is Europe, where they have scored once in two games: Napoli 0-1 Arsenal and, most recently, Villarreal 3-1 Napoli. They are reliable against mid-table and lower opposition but have not yet shown they can beat a strong side this season.
Roma are 3rd on 14 points and still unbeaten in the league (W4 D2 L0), with the best numbers in this fixture: 14 scored, just 3 conceded. Their recent run tells a more mixed story, though. Torino 0-2 Roma was a professional away win, but Roma 2-2 Inter and Como 1907 0-0 Roma mean their last two league games were both draws. In Europe they drew Fenerbahçe 1-1 Roma and then lost a wild Roma 3-4 Real Madrid. That is three draws in their last five matches in all competitions, and their one defeat came in a game where the defence gave up four.
Head-to-head
- 15 Feb 2026: Napoli 2-2 Roma
- 30 Nov 2025: Roma 0-1 Napoli
- 2 Feb 2025: Roma 1-1 Napoli
- 24 Nov 2024: Napoli 1-0 Roma
- 28 Apr 2024: Napoli 2-2 Roma
- 23 Dec 2023: Roma 2-0 Napoli
Napoli have the edge with two wins to Roma’s one, but the dominant result is the draw, with three. In Naples specifically, Napoli are unbeaten in the last three meetings (two draws, one win), and Roma have not beaten Napoli in five attempts since December 2023. No game in this run has produced more than four goals, and two of the last four were settled by a single goal.
Team news
Team news as of 24 October 2026 (Sky Sport Italia, Corriere dello Sport, Tuttosport, Gazzetta dello Sport, DAZN). Napoli (Massimiliano Allegri): Out: David Neres, who remains sidelined until mid-November with a hamstring injury, and defender Alessandro Buongiorno, out with a meniscus tear, as well as Costantino Favasuli and Alisson Santos. No suspensions. Doubts: Rrahmani has a fever. He and Vergara, who is coming back from injury, were both included in the squad. Sky reported that Rrahmani should miss out because of the flu: he is in the squad, but his condition will be assessed on matchday. Gazzetta says he could be rested so that Benoit Badiashile can partner Rafa Marin in a back four. Corriere dello Sport also has Badiashile ahead of Rrahmani, with Olivera able to return on the left in place of Spinazzola. The goalkeeper is uncertain. Sky expects Milinkovic-Savic to start, while Corriere dello Sport says Meret should be in goal. In midfield, Sky reports a straight choice between Anguissa and Lobotka, with Anguissa favoured. Tuttosport picks Lobotka. DAZN thinks a 3-4-2-1 is also possible. Expected formation (4-3-3, Sky): Milinkovic-Savic; Di Lorenzo, Marin, Badiashile, Olivera; Anguissa, De Bruyne, McTominay; Politano, Hojlund, Lang.
Roma (Gian Piero Gasperini): Out: Dybala, Koné, Svilar and Pellegrini. Scans on Pellegrini showed a high-grade lesion in his right thigh. No players are suspended. Malen is available again after serving a one-game ban against Genoa. Doubts: Cristante has recovered from a knee problem and is back in the squad. Sky picks Soulé and Cristante behind Malen, but Tuttosport starts Rodrigo Mora and has Cristante on the bench. Sky has Lulli ahead of Molina at right wing-back. Mancini and Ndicka return to the back three, with Gollini in goal. Balerdi is the alternative to Ndicka. Expected formation (3-4-2-1, Sky): Gollini; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Lulli, De Roon, Pisilli, Wesley; Soulé, Cristante; Malen.
What decides it
- Napoli’s attack against Roma’s defence. Roma have conceded 3 goals in six league games, and Como 1907 could not score against them at all. Napoli scored only once against Bologna at home and once in two Champions League games. One Napoli goal looks like the realistic ceiling.
- Roma against quality opposition. When Roma have faced top sides, games have opened up: Roma 2-2 Inter and Roma 3-4 Real Madrid. Napoli at home are a step up from Torino or Como 1907, so Roma’s best defensive numbers may not fully hold, but Napoli have not shown the cutting edge that Inter and Real Madrid did.
- Both sides come off European defeats. Napoli lost at Villarreal and Roma lost to Real Madrid in their last outings. Neither side arrives with momentum, which makes a cautious opening likely and a single moment of quality or error the probable decider at each end.
Verdict
Roma are the better side on the table and the stronger defence, but Napoli have not lost to them in five meetings and are unbeaten against them at home in their last three. Roma’s recent habit of drawing, plus a head-to-head where level scores are the most common outcome, points to the points being shared. Our call: Napoli 1-1 Roma.
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