Napoli Vs Genoa Prediction: Partenopei Aims For Important Steps Towards Scudetto

Napoli will host Genoa in Serie A on Sunday night, May 11 local time, with big ambitions to take a step closer to winning the Italian League for the 2024/25 season.

With just three games remaining and a three-point advantage over their closest rival, Inter Milan, Antonio Conte's Napoli have performed outstanding in recent weeks. A 1-0 win over Lecce last week extended their winning record to four consecutive games without conceding. The only goal from Giacomo Raspadori through a free kick was enough to bring Partenopei home three points from Stadio Via del Mare.

Now, playing shortly after Inter play their game, Napoli know very well that winning over Genoa will be a crucial step towards the fourth Scudetto in the history of the club and the second in three seasons. Even if they lose once and Inter wipe out all the remaining matches, then the championship determination playoffs will be held something that has never happened before in Serie A.

This success is proof of the greatness of Antonio Conte, who was able to mix up the squad despite losing a number of key players and being injured throughout the season. Napoli is listed as the team with the lowest number of conceded (25 goals) and recorded the most clean sheets (17 times) among Europe's top five leagues this season.

Napoli's record over Genoa is also very supportive. Of the last 28 meetings in Serie A, Napoli have only lost twice and won 18 wins, including a 2-1 win in the first meeting of the season. Genoa has not won in Naples since February 2009 and has never won full points in their last 13 trips to Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

Meanwhile, Genoa came with less convincing capital. Patrick Vieira's team was indeed safe from relegation, but their performance began to decline after briefly rising when they were first handled by Vieira. The 1-2 defeat to AC Milan last week was the third straight defeat in Serie A, and they are at risk of experiencing four consecutive defeats for the first time since December 2021 a dark moment that at that time ended in relegation.

Genoa actually had a lead over Milan through Vitinha's goal, but two Rossoneri's quick goals in the last 15 minutes dashed their hopes of getting points. Now, with little motivation left just chasing the finish in the top 10 it's hard to imagine Genoa making it all out to face a team chasing the title.

Napoli are still missing two main centre-backs, Alessandro Bungiorno and Juan Jesus, who were injured. Therefore, Mathias Olivera is likely to be re-installed as a defender accompanying Amir Rrahmani, with Leonardo Spinazzola taking a position on the left.

In midfield, Stanislav Lobotka is doubtful as a result of an ankle problem. If not fit, Billy Gilmour is ready to replace and duet with Scott McTominay who is in his best form after being named Serie A Player of the Year for April thanks to two braces at home in previous matches.

On the front lines, Romelu Lukaku remains a mainstay and will be accompanied by Giacomo Raspadori, last week's winner. Lukaku has a good record of facing Genoa, with seven goals throughout his career against the Liguria club.

Genoa on the other hand received good news with the return of Hugo Cuenca, Caleb Ekuban, and Jean Onana to training sessions. However, they are still without Fabio Miretti and Ruslan Malinovskyi who are out of business, while Maxwel Cornet has not yet recovered. Morten Thorsby also had to be absent due to card accumulation.

Andrea Pinamonti, although he has not scored in the last 10 matches, the worst record in the last five years remains relied on as the spearhead. He will likely have the support of Vitinha, a goalscorer against Milan last week.

Napoli are in the best momentum to secure the title, with a tough backline and a sharp striker. Against Genoa, who has lost motivation and performed poorly in away matches, Napoli is predicted to win another convincing victory.

Estimated Lineup Of Players

Napoli (3-5-2): Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Olivera; Politano, Anguissa, Gilmour, McTominay, Spinazzola; Raspadori, Lukaku

Genoa (4-2-3-1):Leali; Sabelli, De Winter, Vasquez, Martin; Frendrup, Masini; Norton-Cuffy, Messias, Vitinha; Pinamonti

Final score prediction: Napoli 2-0 Genoa