Can Napoli inflict just a second home defeat on Juventus since January?

Can Napoli inflict just a second home defeat on Juventus since January?

By Charlie Rowing Nov 6, 2013

Tweet

Two in-form Serie A teams – Juventus and Napoli – go head-to-head in Turin this weekend, with both having identical records sitting just three-points off the top. Can Napoli inflict only a second home Serie A defeat on Juventus since January?

Napoli’s positive momentum

Napoli finished second behind Juventus in Serie A last season. Despite selling prize asset Edinson Cavani in the summer, they spent over 75million and appointed Rafa Benitez as manager.

Napoli have won 80% of their away games this season

Under Benitez they have made a solid start to Serie A with their solitary loss coming away to leaders Roma. With that said the Azzurri have the second best away record this season winning 80% of their games.

Napoli have scored 24 goals – 3rd highest in Serie A – and are also solid at the back, conceding just eight – 2nd best defence. On the road the Partenopei have kept just one cleansheet and score on average 2 goals per game. They are available at 5.590* to win at Juventus.

Conte steadying the ship

Despite winning back-to-back Scudetto’s and sitting joint-second, Juventus’ players have been criticised this season for a lack of intensity.

With their team built around a solid defence Juve conceded just 44 goals in their two title-winning seasons (which equates to 0.57 per game) however 11 games into this campaign they have already leaked in 10 goals – 1.1 goals per game.

Manager Antonio Conte questioned his players’ attitude and motivation after throwing away a 2-0 lead against Fiorentina in week 8. Since that defeat though, Juventus have won thee games against Genoa, Catania and Parma without conceding.

At home Juventus 1.735* have a 100% record and have not tasted defeat at the Juventus stadium in their last 14 Serie A matches. In their five home games this season they have averaged three goals per game, while they have kept a clean sheet in 40% of the games.

Juventus vs. Napoli: Head-to-Head record

Juventus have won the previous two encounters in Turin without conceding – Juventus are at -0.5 and -1 at 1.952* on the handicap – while Napoli have beaten the Old Lady just once in the past 12 years – a 2-3 win back in 2009.

Interestingly there hasn’t been a goalless draw between the two teams in Serie A since 1997 and none in Turin for over 20 years. Despite this, 25% of the last 12 games have ended in a draw – the draw is offered at 3.770*.

This feisty fixture often produces goals with 66% of the last 12 seeing more than 2 goals per game, while 50% have gone over 3 per game. Over 2.5 goals is set at 1.909*, while the under is available at 2.010*

Before betting, bettors should consider whether or not Juventus’ home record is more formidable than the attacking presence and away form of Napoli.

Click here to see the latest Juventus vs Napoli odds.

*Odds subject to change

If you have feedback, comments or questions regarding this article, please email the author or send us a tweet on Twitter.