Napoli – Roma: preview
We have the forecast for the match between Napoli and Roma in the context of the eighth round of Serie A 2026/27.
"Napoli" after the defeat to "Venice" has partially compensated its fault to the fans with the victory over "Bude-Glimt", but they will only truly be happy with a win over their early-season rival, "Roma".
Key points
Napoli
1. "Napoli" was satisfied with the win over "Bude-Glimt"
After the loss to "Venice" (0:1) the Neapolitans felt downcast, both the fans and Maximiliano Allegri himself. The team was stuck in the middle of the table and Allegri faces the threat of dismissal. In this context, the Neapolitans managed to break the resistance of "Bude-Glimt" at home (4:3). The first win in this phase of the Champions League is pleasant. But we must not forget that the southern side has suffered vulnerabilities since the start of the season and the match with "Roma" could push them back again.
2. Allegri will return to the formation with three central defenders
For the match against "Bude-Glimt", the coach set up the team with a 4-3-3, leaving Sam Bekeme on the bench. That setup was dictated by the opponent with their aggressive football. With "Roma", Allegri will surely return to his usual setup and reflect the Romans’ strategy: 3-4-2-1, with Stanislav Lobotka at the base. The striker will be assigned Giovane and Scott McTominey. In the striker position there is no doubt: Rasmus Højlund is much stronger than Lorenzo Lucco.
3. "Napoli" learned not to lose in the southern derby
The clash between "Napoli" and "Roma" is known as the hot south battle against the settled north. Now, of course, things are not that good, but life stirs when these two meet. In recent seasons, the Neapolitans have had the advantage, not only in "Diego Armando Maradona", but also at "Stadio Olimpico". In the last six years, the teams have played 13 matches against each other, with seven wins for "Napoli", five draws and only one win for "Roma". Currently, the Neapolitans’ five-match unbeaten streak is alive and they will seek to extend it that Saturday night.
Roma
1. "Roma" recovered after losing points
Before the matches against "Genoa" and "Slovan", Gianpiero Gasperini’s team had a streak of three matches without a win. It was more about the level of the opponents than their own: "Inter" (2:2), "Como" (0:0) and "Real" (3:4). When the level of the adversaries dropped, "Roma" began to collect wins immediately. No problems with the Genovese: 2:0. With "Slovan" in the third Champions League match, even more —4:0. The Slovaks only managed one goal against Pierluigi Golini. All of this seems convincing, but the next encounter will be with an elite rival.
2. Malen and Cristeanu return, Dybala and Pelligri do not
Donell Malen, in fact, did not go anywhere and participated in the win over "Slovan" with 1+2 in the goal+pass system. The striker simply rested during the "Roma" game with "Genoa" due to a dismissal in the match with "Como".
After the injury, Bryan Cristeanu returned to training and can play in Napoli, but not necessarily in the starting lineup. Gianpiero Gasperini is forced to spare Paulo Dybala, whose return is forecast after the November break for the national teams. Lorenzo Pelligri just recovered and played at the start against "Slovan", but needed treatment again.
3. "Roma" is strong in attack, but still lacks wins in important matches
In Serie A, "Roma" is second in goals (16) and in expected goals (18.65 xG), and first in goals conceded (three) and second in expected goals conceded (7.92 xGA). The progress of Gianpiero Gasperini’s team is evident, but they still lack winning in important matches (Roma derbies).
Yes, this season they beat "Atalanta" (2:1) and defeated "Fiorentina" (4:0) — good teams, but not without faults. On the other hand, the favorite to win Serie A is "Inter" (2:2) and "Real" (3:4) in the Champions League. In these matches, "Roma" led by two goals, but settled for the minimum. Can the players break the barrier and finally win the southern derby? Max Allegri is an unshakable figure for Gasperini: a win in the last ten encounters with five draws and four defeats in all competitions.
Approximate formations 3-4-2-13-4-2-11Mert5Badhashil13Rrahmani31Bekema37Spinaccola68Lobotka99Zambo-Anissa22Di Lorenzo8McTominey23Giovane19Højlund95Golini23Manchini5N’Dika22Emroso Kanceso77Lulli15de Ron61Pizilli43Wesley86Mora18Sule14Malen
Betting on the trend
Three of five matches between the teams ended with goal exchanges. OZ – yes at 1.66.
"Napoli" beat "Roma" in four of seven matches at Napoli. F1 (0) at 2.00.
Prediction
Napoli vs Roma 24.10.2026 20:00
"Napoli" after the hard defeat to "Venice" pleased the fans with a Champions League win over "Bude-Glimt". A pleasant win before the match with the early rival, but it must be understood that Maximiliano Allegri has many problems. Strangely, the biggest of them lies in defensive formations, where the coach has become a guru. "Roma" after three matches without a win changed the sheet, easily surpassing "Genoa" and especially "Slovan" in the Champions League. Gianpiero Gasperini’s team seems balanced in attack and defense, but there are nuances that the "yellow‑reds" still cannot resolve. In their list there is no win in an elite match against an elite rival, and Gasperini still cannot beat Max Allegri. Taking all aspects into account, it is assumed that "Roma" is a little closer to victory than the unstable "Napoli".
Prediction: 0-0
