February 12th 2011, 7.45pm GMT (live on ESPN)
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| Marek Hamsik's hairstyle displays a healthy sense of humour |
Roma’s last game was an exciting eight-goal thriller at the San Siro which saw the Giallorossi finish with two goals and one player less than their opponents Inter. However they were always in the game until Nicolas Burdisso conceded a penalty and earned himself a red card by fouling Giampaolo Pazzini in the 61st minute.
Napoli have had a good 2011 so far, and therefore they have maintained their pressure on AC Milan at the top of Serie A. Their league position has surprised everyone, but with 14 games left to play Walter Mazzari is advising his charges not to get carried away: “I am realistic. I continue to believe that the Scudetto is a battle between the usual teams: Milan, Inter, Juventus and Roma.”
Roma are the only team in Serie A with an unbeaten home record this season, and they will be eager to reduce the seven-point gap between themselves and their opponents tomorrow. Francesco Totti returns after a bout of the flu, but defenders Burdisso and Philippe Mexes are both suspended.
Napoli’s last away game was a 2-0 defeat at Chievo, and I expect Roma to put another dent in their title ambitions tomorrow at the Stadio Olimpico.
Prediction – Roma to win – 3pts
Match odds: Roma 11/10
Draw 21/10
Napoli 5/2
Roma: Last 5 Serie A Results
06.02.2011 – Inter 5-3 Roma
02.02.2011 – Roma 1-1 Brescia
22.01.2011 – Roma 3-0 Cagliari
16.01.2011 – Cesena 0-1 Roma
09.01.2011 – Sampdoria 2-1 Roma
Napoli: Last 5 Serie A Results
06.02.2011 – Napoli 2-0 Cesena
02.02.2011 – Chievo 2-0 Napoli
30.01.2011 – Napoli 4-0 Sampdoria
23.01.2011 – Bari 0-2 Napoli
15.01.2011 – Napoli 0-0 Fiorentina
