Italian League Prediction Thread (Serie A)

[Rengga Jati]

-snip-.

I will never understand why some people think that sports professionals get disturbed when they play in the biggest competitions possible. There is a strong team playing in the Champions League for good reasons and instead of saying that this will motivate them to dominate across all competitions, people think that they would be distracted. Is there some logic behind that which I don't understand? A team that is good enough to win everything becomes weaker because they compete for everything...

Yeah, it's a little bit strange. Even though being in the UCL is the dream of all football clubs, of course. So when they were struggling in the UCL, it was a very valuable moment, a moment when they could show off their abilities and prove that they really deserved it. And of course this also spurs their enthusiasm to be even more on fire in every match, whether in the UCL or their own league. So, it doesn't quite make sense if someone says something like that.

Talking about doubts actually in this case I saw from the beginning when Spalleti left that many doubted Napoli because they would experience a transition and it did happen and after a few games done at the beginning of the season towards the middle of the season now it continues and surely the doubts continue to grow as time goes by.

Yeah, because this doubt is quite basic. how we see Napoli's condition this season, how they failed with the first coach who replaced Spalletti, and how they also failed several times even when there was a new coach, Mazzarri. This time it will be very difficult for Napoli to win the Schudetto title again. This seems impossible...

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[QueenVera]

It is my opinion that Roma will find it extremely difficult to move up in the league table given that they lost the chance to drop to fourth place. Napoli, on the other hand, is currently in fifth place with Bologna leading the team by just one point. I believe Napoli will not want to let this happen, even though I am aware of their occasional struggles, but Roma's performance is not as strong as Napoli's, and their players especially Osimhen is in excellent form right now.

But I've been wondering: Is it because Lukaku and Dybala aren't playing for Roma anymore because I haven't seen their performance like it used to be? It's been like five games since I last saw Lukaku score goals, and he's Roma's star player. Did something happen to Lukaku and Dybala because their performance isn't as good as it used to be? Roma's performance is looking pretty bad because they were in position 4 before and are now in position 8, which is extremely poor.

Roma is having a bad run of form and it’ll take serious work both from players and team manager to redeem this team, In recent matches you see that Lukaku isn’t banging in the goals anymore for Roma and that already is causing a decline in their performance and they play as if they play without a creative midfielder like Dybala, all these are signs that they need more men in their squad, therefore they need to make proper use of the transfer window.

 Mourinho needs to step up his game and save this already falling Roma side, Napoli has risen through their down times and star man, Osimhen has done excellently well by partnering with his team mates to save the team’s face, now Roma should take cue from them and do something else it gets late and they don’t get any European spot next season, well I believe Jose Mourinho would figure out something soon.

[coinlocket$]

Friday 22nd December
Empoli 17:30 Lazio
Sassuolo 17:30 Genoa
Monza 19:45 Fiorentina
Salernitana 19:45 AC Milan

Saturday 23rd December
Frosinone 11:30 Juventus
Bologna 14:00 Atalanta
Torino 14:00 Udinese
Inter Milan 17:00 Lecce
Verona 17:00 Cagliari
Roma 19:45 Napoli


Source https://www.skysports.com/serie-a-fixtures

Roma Napoli game of the day between 2 teams in a bad shape

[harapan]

Actually looking at what they did especially after relinquishing the Italian Cup then the focus must be on both although it's still very risky for them but i think they will still try to appear in Serie A and the Champions League.

Well, Napoli would definitely compete but I doubt they'll be able to win either of the champions league or Serie A. They're just not good enough this season to win either of those trophies.
With the kind of form they ended last season with, it was obvious to me Napoli was going to struggle this season. They really struggled towards the end of last season after they won the league and I knew they'll take that form into the next season and the have.
It happened to Inter Milan, then AC Milan and now Napoli. When these teams when the league the previous season, they mostly flip the next season.
Even if Napoli was in form, I doubt Inter is in the mood to let anyone go above them and win the Seria A this season. 

[Leviathan.007]

Yeah, 14 points behind it is almost impossible for Napoli to catch up especially with inconsistent performance while their competitors continue to advance by collecting points from each game obviously Napoli have no chance for the title this season, as you said even for the Champions League it is uncertain and if it's true that next season Napoli will not get a ticket to the Champions League then I'm sure their mainstay player will move moreover Osimhen is now uncomfortable there because of internal conflict. This week Napoli will come to the Stadio Olimpico to face AS Roma and I think Napoli will lose more points at the same time AS Roma will take over Napoli position in the 5th place, I did not underestimate Napoli but Roma could be relied upon when playing at home.

Left 14 points from Inter Milan, I doubt Napoli has opportunity returning back to Scudetto tittle race in this season due still inconsistency performance in this season. Raise top fourth standings not difficult yet for Napoli because remaining one point left from Bologna and have many matches left in domestic league not close for top fourth standing target. Next match, Napoli will face AS Roma and need recovery their inconsistency performance after eliminating from Copa Italia round of 16 and need get three points how to be close points with top Serie A standing teams.

AS Roma on bad trend performance after defeating by Bologna last match, if get three points achieving will make Napoli opportunity return to top fourth standings will be easy.

I have already said this many other times that Napoli got definitely no chance to win the Serie A title as they won in the last season because compared to the all other teams in this season, Napoli lost much power, and other teams like Juventus and Inter Milan are now even more stable and stronger than last season which means they can have more chance to win the title during this season.
Inter Milan even after losing Lukaku is performing very well and they are definitely in the form in which they can have the same good performance they had in the last season.

[TopT3ns]

Inter Milan have undoubtedly been the most consistent Italian team both in the Italian Serie A and in the UEFA Champions League competition since the start of the season but with their performance against Bologna in their Coppa Italia game yesterday at the San Siro, I think Simone Inzaghi's team are probably not interested in the Italian league cup trophy this season.

Though it's absolutely possible for them to win the UEFA Champions League, Italian Serie A and the Coppa Italia just like they did in 2009/10 season but I think they've decided to focus more on the UEFA Champions League and the Italian Serie A as it'll be more energy consuming for them to want to win the three competitions.

Simone Inzaghi played an important role in Inter Milan's success, which made them sit at number one at the top of the standings, while in the UEFA Champions League competition, Inter Milan have not lost and have managed to maintain their performance well.There is still a long way to go in these two competitions, so Simone Inzaghi must continue to try to maintain the strategy he uses to always win in the upcoming matches.

[ginsan]

Well, Napoli would definitely compete but I doubt they'll be able to win either of the champions league or Serie A. They're just not good enough this season to win either of those trophies.
With the kind of form they ended last season with, it was obvious to me Napoli was going to struggle this season. They really struggled towards the end of last season after they won the league and I knew they'll take that form into the next season and the have.
It happened to Inter Milan, then AC Milan and now Napoli. When these teams when the league the previous season, they mostly flip the next season.
Even if Napoli was in form, I doubt Inter is in the mood to let anyone go above them and win the Seria A this season. 

Napoli will find it difficult to enter the ranks of teams competing for the Scudetto this season because Napoli are already 14 points behind Inter Milan. We are like we were in last season where last season Napoli led the standing by far ahead of the second ranked team and that is the comparison that has happened to Napoli this season. There is no hope for Napoli to win the Scudetto this season, they are only focused on being in the top 4 because of their decline in performance which means they are not strong enough to compete for the title.

This season the Scudetto will belong to Inter Milan or Juventus because they are more ambitious to get it. Inter Milan performance this season cannot be stopped by any team, they are very strong and this season they have a greater chance of winning the Scudetto. Inter milan has Martinez and Thuram who have performed quite impressively compared to the stickers of other teams in this season.

[temple]

...

To me this is one of those coaching mistakes that I hate a lot. I don't understand why coaches choose to rotate in the worst moments possible and why they would risk losing a game that would get them into the next round of an important competition? If there is supposed to be rotation, I would always start with the best players I have available and I would take the game 100% seriously. Slow down when the lead is safe and there is no risk throwing a game like that way. Now the damage is done and there is no way back.

Yes, I agree that it would be better if Walter Mazzarri played the main players in the first half and could potentially give Napoli a few goals. After that, it was up to Walter Mazzarri to withdraw the first team in the second half and replace them with second-string players gradually if Napoli had a convincing enough lead. I am quite surprised by this result whether Napoli really intends to withdraw from the Coppa Italia competition this season after they struggled from the preliminary round. I do not think so. This is purely a strategic error used by Walter Mazzari.

There never was an intention to get kicked out of the Coppa Italia competition as some people here argue because this cup can't be compared to the league cup in England, where they actually have like three cups or so? The Coppa Italia is the main Italian cup and no team would ever try to lose on purpose in order to be able to focus more on other competitions, that's bullshit. A team like Napoli, a Champions League contender, plans to get kicked out of the Coppa Italia... No, really never.

[mv1986]

~

There never was an intention to get kicked out of the Coppa Italia competition as some people here argue because this cup can't be compared to the league cup in England, where they actually have like three cups or so? The Coppa Italia is the main Italian cup and no team would ever try to lose on purpose in order to be able to focus more on other competitions, that's bullshit. A team like Napoli, a Champions League contender, plans to get kicked out of the Coppa Italia... No, really never.

Of course not, but I share the opinion that this game was approached in a very weird way by Walter Mazzari. I don't know if this was incompetence by him or underestimation at its best, but how can a team like Napoli underestimate another team from Serie A. It is not like they played against a team from the Serie B or worse than that when it happens that the far superior favorite underestimates how hard it can be to beat those teams. Take Bayern as an example when they played against a 3. Bundesliga team and lost, but nobody would ever say that was on purpose. If that were true, the coach would get sacked immediately.

[TelolettOm]

Napoli will find it difficult to enter the ranks of teams competing for the Scudetto this season because Napoli are already 14 points behind Inter Milan. We are like we were in last season where last season Napoli led the standing by far ahead of the second ranked team and that is the comparison that has happened to Napoli this season. There is no hope for Napoli to win the Scudetto this season, they are only focused on being in the top 4 because of their decline in performance which means they are not strong enough to compete for the title.

Napoli must target to finish in the top 4 only (UCL zone). They must be aware that they have no chance to join the race for the title. The point gap with Inter Milan and Juventus are too large, it is very unlikely to overtake their points. Moreover, Napoli also played inconsistently, no guarantee that they will always win the match this season. So, we all must agree about this, Napoli will never try to compete for the Scudetto. The reasonable target is surely just for the top 4, for the ticket of UCL next season.

This season the Scudetto will belong to Inter Milan or Juventus because they are more ambitious to get it. Inter Milan performance this season cannot be stopped by any team, they are very strong and this season they have a greater chance of winning the Scudetto. Inter milan has Martinez and Thuram who have performed quite impressively compared to the stickers of other teams in this season.

Indeed. Only Inter Milan and Juventus are competing for the title now. These teams played more stable than other teams in Serie A. They also have better squad than other teams. So, it will be very difficult for other teams to overtake them in the top of Serie A standings. If there is no change in the second half of the season, I guess Inter Milan will win the Scudetto.

[Josefjix]

Of course not, but I share the opinion that this game was approached in a very weird way by Walter Mazzari. I don't know if this was incompetence by him or underestimation at its best, but how can a team like Napoli underestimate another team from Serie A. It is not like they played against a team from the Serie B or worse than that when it happens that the far superior favorite underestimates how hard it can be to beat those teams. Take Bayern as an example when they played against a 3. Bundesliga team and lost, but nobody would ever say that was on purpose. If that were true, the coach would get sacked immediately.

Shocking to see Napoli losing 4 nil to Frosinone and not been able to maintain consistent performance in the Seria A matches. Could it be that all these unplanned negative results happens because Luciano Spalleti steps down from managing the club? Though he resign and I'm confident Napoli will bounce back to winning matches but it will take lengthy period because we can never be too sure of these matches. Napoli headcoach,Walter Mazzarri have learnt his lesson and he will not give room for any poor performance from his team, he's aiming for the best spot on the table.

[boltz]

Of course not, but I share the opinion that this game was approached in a very weird way by Walter Mazzari. I don't know if this was incompetence by him or underestimation at its best, but how can a team like Napoli underestimate another team from Serie A. It is not like they played against a team from the Serie B or worse than that when it happens that the far superior favorite underestimates how hard it can be to beat those teams. Take Bayern as an example when they played against a 3. Bundesliga team and lost, but nobody would ever say that was on purpose. If that were true, the coach would get sacked immediately.

Shocking to see Napoli losing 4 nil to Frosinone and not been able to maintain consistent performance in the Seria A matches. Could it be that all these unplanned negative results happens because Luciano Spalleti steps down from managing the club? Though he resign and I'm confident Napoli will bounce back to winning matches but it will take lengthy period because we can never be too sure of these matches. Napoli headcoach,Walter Mazzarri have learnt his lesson and he will not give room for any poor performance from his team, he's aiming for the best spot on the table.

I think they are all-in for UCL this year and the fact that they qualify further again , makes me thinks that both Serie A and especially the cup can wait a bit longer or not waiting at all ( being already eliminated from cup ). I'm sure they will focus a lot in the second part of Serie A season but personally I don't expect them to produce magic like they did last year but I do see them achieving quarter finals in UCL. 

[legendbtc]

With 14 points behind top Inter in Serie A and facing Barca in the 1/8 round of the Champions League, Napoli sees the Italian National Cup as the most feasible arena for winning the title this season. But the hopes of Walter Mazzarri and his team in the domestic cup field were dashed after a shocking loss to Frosinone right at the holy land of Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Thus, Napoli only has to fight in the Champions League and Serie A. In Serie A, Napoli is ranked 5th with 27 points. However, things are not as Napoli expected. Now they have to be a guest against a Roma team that is thirsty for points and extremely strong when playing at the Olimpico. Napoli must win at all costs if they do not want to slip further and further in the race to win Serie A this season.

[mv1986]

Of course not, but I share the opinion that this game was approached in a very weird way by Walter Mazzari. I don't know if this was incompetence by him or underestimation at its best, but how can a team like Napoli underestimate another team from Serie A. It is not like they played against a team from the Serie B or worse than that when it happens that the far superior favorite underestimates how hard it can be to beat those teams. Take Bayern as an example when they played against a 3. Bundesliga team and lost, but nobody would ever say that was on purpose. If that were true, the coach would get sacked immediately.

Shocking to see Napoli losing 4 nil to Frosinone and not been able to maintain consistent performance in the Seria A matches. Could it be that all these unplanned negative results happens because Luciano Spalleti steps down from managing the club? Though he resign and I'm confident Napoli will bounce back to winning matches but it will take lengthy period because we can never be too sure of these matches. Napoli headcoach,Walter Mazzarri have learnt his lesson and he will not give room for any poor performance from his team, he's aiming for the best spot on the table.

I doubt that a coach has ever made such a difference when he stepped down and then a team like Napoli would lose games against an inferior team in such a shocking way. Of course coaches have some influences on the game due to their decisions, but not solely due to their presence. I think what's important to note here is that Mazzari decided against letting the best players begin the game. That was the mistake that cost them the next round in Coppa Italia.

[tusandii]

That's how it goes on a single legged knock out. There are no second chances. And we should appreciate the performance from Bologna and Frosinone. They outperformed their opponents on their games.
Bologna hat a great defense, good goal keeping, a penalty saved and injury time best finished goals to win. They deserved the win.

Inter Milan have play not so good in recent matches vs Bologna. In October there was a 2:2 in Milan and in February this year Bologna won 1:0, the game was in Bologna. And now the defeat in extra time, mybe we can say that Bologna are becoming a scary team for Inter. They are not playing for the championship in italy, they are far away. Inter Milan will lose a bit of motivation, they play against a weak team at the weekend. Again at home against US Lecce, which they should win without any problems.

Based on the H2H records of both teams, Inter seems to have a phobia of Bologna, they found it very difficult to win in several matches against Bologna, including the defeat they just experienced in the Copa Italia.
This defeat must be forgotten immediately, they must remain focused on the next match. Inter must win again against Lecce, they must always try to get maximum points in order to keep their distance from Juventus while maintaining their safe position at the top of the standings.

Inter's defeat in the Coppa Italia always has a cause and there is a reason for everything and let's discuss it.
if you say the difference from h2h is not fair because every season the performance of each club is very different, sometimes Inter last season was not very strong and this season looks very strong and consistent and could have beaten Bologna if it was not a Coppa Italia match.
Furthermore, another reason is to look at the players used in yesterday's match. Did all the mainstay players appear on the field?
This is all because Simone Inzaghi wants to maintain the physical condition of his talented players so they don't get too tired because Inter have to chase trophies in other competitions.
So yesterday's defeat for Simone Inzaghi is not a big problem because Inter must focus on the Champions League competition and the title in Serie A and the Coppa Italia may not be pursued because it will add to the match schedule which will have negative impacts such as injuries, while the Champions League trophy is very important compared to the Coppa Italy.
Maybe you can understand the reasons I said and for me this is fairer and more reasonable.

[Uruhara]

With 14 points behind top Inter in Serie A and facing Barca in the 1/8 round of the Champions League, Napoli sees the Italian National Cup as the most feasible arena for winning the title this season. But the hopes of Walter Mazzarri and his team in the domestic cup field were dashed after a shocking loss to Frosinone right at the holy land of Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Thus, Napoli only has to fight in the Champions League and Serie A. In Serie A, Napoli is ranked 5th with 27 points. However, things are not as Napoli expected. Now they have to be a guest against a Roma team that is thirsty for points and extremely strong when playing at the Olimpico. Napoli must win at all costs if they do not want to slip further and further in the race to win Serie A this season.

I think Napoli's defeat against Frosinone in the last 16 of the Coppa Italia was purely due to a decision error in playing the starting eleven from the start. Mazzarri was too confident by playing more second-string players in the first half. And in the second half Mazzarri was late in playing their mainstay player. So Napoli's defeat in that match was not that surprising. Because looking at the composition of the players playing in this match, it seems like they didn't intend to play optimally from the start. Or maybe because Mazzarri underestimated Frosinone.

Napoli will indeed have a very difficult opponent in the last 16 of the UCL. Because after all Barcelona is a team filled with great players. But fortunately currently Barcelona is also not in good condition. Their consistency has been shaky lately. So Barcelona has pretty much failed to get maximum points recently. So Napoli actually still has a good chance in the UCL later.

In the next match, Napoli in Serie A will face Roma. But I think this match will indeed be a more difficult match for Napoli. Because Roma when they are in good shape can be almost on par with Milan or Inter. But fortunately Roma were also not at their best. They even lost to Bologna. Which indicates that Roma is also inconsistent this season. But I also hope Napoli wins even though Napoli is not the host of the match. But it's time for Napoli to return to their best performance. Because if they can't, Napoli will even have difficulty returning to the top 4 of Serie A, which is now occupied by Bologna.

[Mayor of ogba]

But I'm confident with the players Napoli have, I think they can reach the top four compared to Bologna, although not in the near future. Maybe next week Napoli won't be able to catch Bologna because they have to play against a strong team, like Roma, I predict this match will end in a draw.

I think all of us agree with this, Napoli can change its strategy and player performance, it might still be possible to be in the top 4, it can be happens if AC Milan and Bologna experience a decline in performance. The points gap between Napoli and these two teams is not much, it should be possible to get some wins when both of them lose or draw. The transfer window will open soon, this is an opportunity for Napoli to improve their team.

There is a possibility that Napoli will enter the fourth position in the Italy Serie A table if they can get a draw match from Roma because Bologna's match against Atalanta will be a tough one, and it can end in a draw match or Atalanta wins against Bologna. Napoli can challenge for the Serie A title if they are with Osimhen till the end of the season.

[MusaMohamed]

I think Napoli's defeat against Frosinone in the last 16 of the Coppa Italia was purely due to a decision error in playing the starting eleven from the start.

Napoli will indeed have a very difficult opponent in the last 16 of the UCL. Because after all Barcelona is a team filled with great players. But fortunately currently Barcelona is also not in good condition. Their consistency has been shaky lately. So Barcelona has pretty much failed to get maximum points recently. So Napoli actually still has a good chance in the UCL later.

They had a past amazing season in Champions League and want to repeat it in this season. The round of 16 draw puts Napoli to meet Barcelona which is a giant in Champions League but in this season, Barcelona has some problems with their squad, injuries and not too good form. It gives Napoli chance and hope to beat Barcelona and go to another stage in Champions League. This competition is more important for Napoli than Coppa Italia and it is their wise decision to give up in Coppa Italia.

In the next match, Napoli in Serie A will face Roma. But I think this match will indeed be a more difficult match for Napoli. Because Roma when they are in good shape can be almost on par with Milan or Inter. But fortunately Roma were also not at their best. They even lost to Bologna. Which indicates that Roma is also inconsistent this season. But I also hope Napoli wins even though Napoli is not the host of the match. But it's time for Napoli to return to their best performance. Because if they can't, Napoli will even have difficulty returning to the top 4 of Serie A, which is now occupied by Bologna.

Match between AS Roma and Napoli is a derby, it is called as Derby del Sole with 171 matches happened. The statistics is on Roma side with 62 wins, 53 draws and Napoli has 56 wins from those past derby matches.

This match is important for them to continue competing for top four because there are many clubs are racing for this position. AS Roma just lost it to Bologna after a direct defeat to that opponent.

[Uruhara]

I think Napoli's defeat against Frosinone in the last 16 of the Coppa Italia was purely due to a decision error in playing the starting eleven from the start.

Napoli will indeed have a very difficult opponent in the last 16 of the UCL. Because after all Barcelona is a team filled with great players. But fortunately currently Barcelona is also not in good condition. Their consistency has been shaky lately. So Barcelona has pretty much failed to get maximum points recently. So Napoli actually still has a good chance in the UCL later.

They had a past amazing season in Champions League and want to repeat it in this season. The round of 16 draw puts Napoli to meet Barcelona which is a giant in Champions League but in this season, Barcelona has some problems with their squad, injuries and not too good form. It gives Napoli chance and hope to beat Barcelona and go to another stage in Champions League. This competition is more important for Napoli than Coppa Italia and it is their wise decision to give up in Coppa Italia.

Last season, Napoli had a great season in Serie A and also in the Champions League. They were able to top the Serie A standings last season with a very large points difference. Which allowed Napoli to focus more on the UCL last season. But last season Napoli stopped in the quarter-finals because they lost to Milan. But I'm actually not sure that this season Napoli will qualify for the quarter-finals. Because Barcelona is not an ordinary team that will be easy to beat. In fact, Barcelona's strength can be said to be equivalent to Real Madrid. And we can see that Napoli had difficulties when they faced Real Madrid in the group stage. Even Napoli continued to experience defeats in the match against Real Madrid. So maybe the match against Barcelona will be as difficult as the match against Real Madrid. But because Barcelona has been inconsistent lately, maybe it could be an advantage for Napoli. But Barcelona might also improve again in the next few months. So Napoli must be prepared for that.

[Hirose UK]

~snip~

Napoli must target to finish in the top 4 only (UCL zone). They must be aware that they have no chance to join the race for the title. The point gap with Inter Milan and Juventus are too large, it is very unlikely to overtake their points. Moreover, Napoli also played inconsistently, no guarantee that they will always win the match this season. So, we all must agree about this, Napoli will never try to compete for the Scudetto. The reasonable target is surely just for the top 4, for the ticket of UCL next season.

Napoli no longer has any hope of winning the Serie A title this season and Napoli will also have great difficulty if they try to compete for the title by competing with Inter Milan and Juventus.
Indeed, Napoli only hope this season is to reach the top 4 positions and get UCL ticket, that will be much better in terms of achievements next season.
But there is also no guarantee that Napoli can survive further in the UCL if they have the opportunity to play next season.

This season the Scudetto will belong to Inter Milan or Juventus because they are more ambitious to get it. Inter Milan performance this season cannot be stopped by any team, they are very strong and this season they have a greater chance of winning the Scudetto. Inter milan has Martinez and Thuram who have performed quite impressively compared to the stickers of other teams in this season.

Indeed. Only Inter Milan and Juventus are competing for the title now. These teams played more stable than other teams in Serie A. They also have better squad than other teams. So, it will be very difficult for other teams to overtake them in the top of Serie A standings. If there is no change in the second half of the season, I guess Inter Milan will win the Scudetto.

Inter Milan and Juventus are rivals that other teams in Setie A really cannot compete with and these two team are indeed the strongest candidates in the race for the title.
But Juventus will be far superior because they can really focus on fighting for the Serie A title, in contrast to Inter Milan who also have to focus on the UCL.
This is good opportunity for Juventus to take advantage of the situation and condition of Inter Milan players who may have slightly unresolved performance.