Como Vs. Napoli Prediction: Partenopei Wants To End Victory Fast

Scott McTominay (right) got up with Napoli (photo: x @mctominay_HQ)

JAKARTA - Napoli, who are having a difficult time hunting for the Serie A title, will try to end their winning streak on Sunday, February 23, when they visit Como who is in a positive trend at Stadio Sinigglia.

Without feeling a win this month, Partenopei got into a fierce battle with Inter Milan to win the Scudetto. Meanwhile, ambitious hosts are on their way to ensure their survival in the top league.

After conceding an equalizer in the final minute against Roma in early February, Napoli returned to Stadio Olimpico last week, where they suffered a similar fate against Lazio.

Despite losing twice to the hosts this season, Antonio Conte's side managed to bounce back from a bad start - Gustav Isaksen scored the opener - and had taken the lead thanks to Giacomo Raspadori's spectacular goal and Adam Marusic's cute own goal. However, they conceded again in the 87th minute, so their lead at the top of Serie A's standings was only two points.

Including the draw against Udinese between the two games in Rome, Napoli have now had three games without a win. However, their dream of winning was slightly helped by Inter Milan's defeat to Juventus in Derby d'Italy.

Before facing the fierce battle between Italy's top two teams next week, Partenopei will have to visit Como, where they will try to extend their record for the longest away goal in the league - 10 games in a row - while trying to get the full points.

With just one defeat in 23 Serie A meetings against the Lombardia club - and no defeat since November 1952 - the three-time Italian champion clearly has a profitable history.

After a 3-1 defeat in a counter-match in October - where they conceded just one minute after kickoff - Como have lost their last four games against Napoli in Serie A, with an average conceded 2.5 goals per game.

After two decades of playing in the lower league, Larani returned to Serie A with big ambitions last summer. After taking time to adapt, the club belonging to the Djarum Group is now slowly moving away from the relegation zone to the middle board.

Boosted by a number of new players in the middle of the season, Cesc coach Fabregas is far from ensuring their safety. However, last week's victory in Florence would definitely increase the squad's confidence.

After picking up just one point from their first eight games against the top six - conceded 18 goals and only scored five goals - Como managed to beat Fiorentina. Assane Diao's new player scored the first goal, before their star Nico Paz secured the win with a fine finish, winning a rare away win at the Stadio Franchi.

Cesc Fabregas - who played under Conte at Chelsea for two seasons, from 2016 to 2018 - is now facing his mentor again. This time, Como may be a more difficult opponent for Napoli.

After Alessandro Burongiorno returned to fitness and a lack of full-back options, Antonio Conte switched to his favorite 3-5-2 against Lazio, and Napoli will likely use the same formation this weekend.

Mathias Olivera is still absent - along with Brazilian winger David Neres, who previously appeared impressive as a substitute for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia who left. However, Leonardo Spinazzola has returned to full training and could be involved.

Joining Frank Anguissa and Stanislav Lobotka in midfield, Scott McTominay scored his first Serie A in a counter-match this season - just 26 seconds after kickoff - and no other midfielder has scored more away goals (four) in Serie A this season.

Romelu Lukaku and Giacomo Raspadori - the latter are players who benefit the most from Conte's tactical changes - are predicted to lead the attack.

Meanwhile, Como's main threat came from behind their sole striker, as Real Madrid loaner Nico Paz has scored six goals and provided three assists in Serie A this season.

Cesc Fabregas is still missing Sergi Roberto, Alessandro Gabrielloni, Ignace Van der Brempt, and Merger Vojvoda due to injury. However, Alberto Moreno hopes to return after experiencing muscle problems.

Although Napoli are in difficult times, their quality and experience at the top of the Serie A standings should be enough to address Como. However, with high confidence after the win against Fiorentina, Como could provide fierce resistance.

Como:Butez; Smolcic, Kempf, Dossena, Valle; Perrone, Da Cunha; Strefezza, Paz, Diao; Cutrone

Napoli: Meret; Rrahmani, Burongiorno, Jesus; Di Lorenzo, Anguissa, Lobotka, McTominay, Politano; Raspadori, Lukaku

Final prediction:Como 1-2 Napol