Sassuolo vs Napoli
Napoli are set to visit the Mapei Stadium this Saturday evening to take on newly promoted Sassuolo for their first Serie A contest of the 2025-26 campaign, and Antonio Conte’s side aims to start on a positive note.
The Partenopei have had a mixed bag of results in their preseason games, but they remain among the heavy favourites to win the Scudetto. That is because the defending champions reloaded their squad this summer with their incomings and outgoings while maintaining their core.
Meanwhile, Sassuolo are back in the Italian top-flight after a one-year absence. After a 19th-place finish in 2023-24, I Neroverdi won Serie B by compiling 82 points the following season and are joined by Pisa and Cremonese.
The pre-game SBOTOP betting odds expect a lopsided match in favour of the visitors. But can the hosts spring a surprise in front of their home fans this weekend?
Talking Points
Sassuolo loanees have something to prove
Sassuolo are targeting survival under head coach Fabio Grosso, and he has been backed by the team’s front office this offseason. They’ve completed loan deals to acquire Torino’s Sebastian Walukiewicz, Como forward Alieu Fadera, Marseille midfielder Ismael Kone, and Ipswich Town’s Arijanet Muric, among others. On the other hand, I Neroverdi managed to retain Josh Doig, Domenico Berardi, Andrea Pinamonti, Armand Lauriente, Kristian Thorstvedt, and Cristian Volpato.
Grosso’s side are fresh from a 1-0 win against US Catanzaro in the Coppa Italia first round, as Doig scored the marginal goal in the 32nd minute after a lovely lob pass from Berardi. Sassuolo will likely stick to the same starting XI against Napoli, although the starting goalkeeper spot remains up for grabs between Stefano Turati and Arijanet Muric.
Last season, Sassuolo were superb at home, notching 14 wins, two draws, and only three defeats in their last 19 league games at the Mapei Stadium. However, they must step up several notches in class this Saturday, especially against the defending champions.
Napoli to miss star striker
Napoli recently confirmed that Romelu Lukaku is out for at least three months after he sustained a thigh injury during their 2-1 friendly win over Olympiacos. It was initially feared that the Belgian striker might need surgery, but Lukaku opted for conservative therapy instead. This is a huge blow to the Partenopei’s backline, as Lukaku led the team with 14 league goals and 10 assists last term.
With Lukaku absent, Scott McTominay will likely shoulder the huge scoring load. The Scot, who had 12 league goals and four assists last term, will use this opportunity to remind everyone of his Serie A MVP and Ballon d’Or credentials. Lorenzo Lucca will also get his chance to lead up front, following the summer departures of Giacomo Raspadori and Giovanni Simeone. New boys Kevin De Bruyne and Sam Beukema should also feature in midfield and defence, respectively.
History
Napoli demolished Sassuolo the last time they met in Serie A, as the Partenopei won 6-1 against I Neroverdi at the Mapei Stadium last February 2024. Uros Racic gave Sassuolo an early lead, but Napoli replied with a goal from Amir Rrahmani, a hat-trick from Victor Osimhen, and a brace from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
The Partenopei just won their fourth Scudetto last season after accumulating 82 points, only one point ahead of previous champions Inter Milan. Napoli’s 2-0 home win against Cagliari, courtesy of goals from Scott McTominay and Romelu Lukaku, did the trick.
I Neroverdi, who were in Serie A for 11 straight years, also had 82 points in Serie B last term. They secured their Italian top-flight status with five rounds to spare after they recorded a 3-1 draw over Modena.
Betting Tip
As mentioned, the Serie A 2025 odds expect Napoli to claim their first three points of the season against Sassuolo. The Partenopei are at 1.53 odds to win, while I Neroverdi are 5.40 underdogs, and a draw is at 3.76 in the 1X2 market.
Based on their previous encounters, football fans are in for a doozy. Both teams are likely to generate new Serie A 2025 highlights, with Napoli expected to score more goals. Besides our recommended bet, bettors can also add Over 2.25 at 1.71, Over 2.50 at 2.00, Over 2.75 at 2.23, and Total Goals 4-6 at 3.41 to the parlay. Moreover, a Correct Score of 2-0 in favour of Napoli – the last time these two sides met during the first two weeks of a campaign – could yield a solid payday of 6.70 your bet.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT)
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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