Serie A Matchday 20: Relentless Napoli welcome resolute Roma

Relentless Serie A leaders Napoli are in fine form as top four-chasing Roma prepare to visit the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. 

Fourth-place Inter Milan will hope to put pressure on the Giallorossi by bouncing back from defeat last time out in tomorrow's clash with Cremonese. 

The Nerazzurri's city rivals AC Milan need to beat struggling Sassuolo to put an end to their own poor run of form, while upwardly mobile Lazio take on mid-table Fiorentina. 

Juventus host Monza knowing a defeat would see their opponents leapfrog them in the table following the Old Lady's 15-point deduction.

Game of the week: Napoli vs Roma (Sunday, 7.45pm)

Undeterred by losing their unbeaten record at the start of the year, Napoli's seemingly unstoppable surge towards the Scudetto continues apace with Roma next up. 

This could be a low-scoring affair thanks to both sides' strong defensive records. 

Each of these teams has conceded just seven goals in the second half of Serie A games this term — a joint-league low — and rank in the top two for shots on target faced (51 for Napoli, 54 for Roma), as well as goals conceded from inside the box (10 for Napoli, 13 for Roma — level with Lazio). 

Jose Mourinho's men may prove particularly difficult for Serie A's top-scoring side to break down. Across Europe's big five leagues, only Nantes and Newcastle (both five) have kept more clean sheets in all competitions in 2023 than the team from the capital (four).

Cremonese vs Inter Milan (Saturday, 5pm)

Inter have been inconsistent this season but their problems pale in comparison to the issues Cremonese are facing. 

They are just the second Serie A side since 2004-05 to have failed to win a game in the first half of the season. 

The visitors have conceded in each of their last 13 league games on the road — their longest run without a clean sheet since 1988. 

However, Inter have scored more goals in the first 30 minutes of games than any other side in the division, while Cremonese have shipped the most in that period (both 13).

AC Milan vs Sassuolo (Sunday, 11.30am)

Milan are in a slump — they have failed to win any of their last five games in all competitions (two draws, three defeats), including a humiliating 4-0 loss at Lazio last time out. 

Their next opponents Sassuolo are not faring much better, though. The Neroverdi are winless in their previous eight league outings, losing six of those. 

Even taking the lead on Sunday is no guarantee of a positive result for the side from Emilia-Romagna, who have dropped 34 points from winning positions since manager Alessio Dionisi took charge last season — only Verona (44) and Bologna (39) have worse records in that period. 

The Rossoneri sit second but are 12 points behind leaders Napoli, while Sassuolo are just one place above the relegation zone.

Lazio vs Fiorentina (Sunday, 5pm)

Lazio are one of three teams locked on 37 points ahead of Matchday 20. 

Thankfully for Maurizio Sarri's men, they have a strong record against upcoming opponents Fiorentina. 

The Biancocelesti have scored the most Serie A goals against La Viola (206) and have won six of their last seven league meetings (one defeat), as well as each of their last five at home in all competitions.

This game will see two sides with very different approaches clash — Lazio have attempted the fewest open play crosses in the division this season (127), while Fiorentina lead the league with 318.

Juventus vs Monza (Sunday, 2pm)

It is a long road back for Juventus following their points deduction — they now sit 10th going into this round of fixtures, 14 points off the top four. 

Max Allegri's side host Monza next, who are enjoying the best debut season of any Serie A club since 2004-05, amassing 22 points in their 19 games thus far. 

Additionally, Raffaele Palladino's men are unbeaten in their previous five league outings (two wins, three draws), representing their longest unbeaten streak in the top flight. 

However, the Bianconeri have won five of their last six meetings with promoted sides — though their sole defeat in that run was against Monza.

The weekend's other games

Bologna vs Spezia (Friday, 5.30pm) 

Lecce vs Salernitana (Friday, 7.45pm)

Empoli vs Torino (Saturday, 2pm)

Atalanta vs Sampdoria (Saturday, 7.45pm)

Udinese vs Verona (Monday, 7.45pm)

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