Serie A: Champs Travel to City of Romance

Fiorentina vs Napoli

The top dogs in Serie A are heading to the truly beautiful city of Florence this weekend – a place this SBOTOP scribe frequented six years ago and was blown away.

But enough reminiscing.

What Serie A 2025 highlights can Fiorentina and Napoli deliver in the Stadio Franchi on Saturday night when the hosts bid for their first league victory of the fledgling season and the visitors bid to continue their unbeaten start.

 

Talking Points

Napoli’s title triumph last season was against the odds – helped considerably by the fact they could focus solely on domestic matters as they were not involved in any European action.

That Inter Milan got caught up in a heavily congested programme – they were pipped to the title by a point, defeated in the Champions League Final and also reached the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia but ended up with nothing – was a significant help to Antonio Conte’s men and they took full advantage.

While I Partenopei were never favourites last season, I think the roles have been reversed this term.

Inter and Simone Inzaghi have gone their separate ways and, while successor Cristian Chivu has real potential, it is a big ask to expect him to step into the Italian’s shoes and keep them at the sharp end.

Napoli, meanwhile, are building from a position of strength.

They may have suffered an early blow with the loss of striker Romelu Lukaku during a pre-season friendly against Olympiacos, since when he has been diagnosed with a deep muscle tear.

Yet Conte has acted quickly and the Belgian’s absence for three to four months is the reason the club signed Rasmus Hojlund from Manchester United, leaving Lukaku out of their UEFA Champions League squad list.

With Kevin de Bruyne and Scott McTominay striking up an encouraging early partnership in midfield, they have made a positive start to the Serie A campaign with two wins from two, although it took a last-gasp winner from Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa to see off spirited Cagliari last time out.

Cagliari were the team that held Fiorentina to a 1-1 draw on the opening weekend and new head coach Stefano Pioli (formerly of AC Milan) also had to settle for a share of the spoils in their most recent outing before the international break, a goalless draw at Torino.

They have since made an exciting addition with the arrival of Tariq Lamptey from Brighton and he may be handed his debut in Florence against the champions after signing a permanent deal, reportedly for €6m move plus add-ons.

I expect him to start on the bench but could be called upon to boost an attack spearheaded by Moise Kean.

As well as Lukaku, Napoli will be without defender Amir Rrahmani and summer signing Miguel Gutierrez, while David Neres is also a doubt, as the Brazilian winger is struggling with a minor muscular problem.

 

History

Napoli completed a league double over Fiorentina last term.

They were 3-0 winners in Florence when Neres’ opener was followed up by a Lukaku penalty and McTominay strike.

It was a lot closer in Naples in March where the title-chasing hosts edged home 2-1, courtesy of goals from Lukaku and Giacomo Raspadori before Albert Gudmundsson pulled one back.

Overall, Napoli have held the upper hand with 63 victories compared to 58 Fiorentina successes and 45 draws.

Their most recent Coppa Italia meeting, a last-16 tie in 2022, was quite a shocker as it produced seven goals and three red cards.

It saw the sides share four goals over 90 minutes before Fiorentina netted three times in extra-time to record a 5-2 success.

Dusan Vlahovic had given Fiorentina the lead before Dries Mertens equalised,

Cristiano Biraghi restored the visitors’ lead only for Andrea Petagna to equalise deep into stoppage time.

Yet still Fiorentina would not be denied and quick fire goals from Lorenzo Venuti, Krzysztof Piatek and Youssef Maleh sealed a remarkable scoreline.

Fiorentina had played the whole second half and extra-time with 10 men, while Napoli had two men sent off in the final stages of normal time.

 

Betting Tip

If this game is to be as comprehensive as it was last term, then you are in for a tidy pay day.

For Correct Score 0-3 with the Serie A 2025 betting odds will pay out @ 25.00.

Napoli are naturally favourites when you consider they are on offer 1X2 @ 2.29 and Asian Handicap -0.50, also @ 2.29, compared to the Viola 1X2 @ 3.05 and Asian Handicap +0.25 @ 1.92.

Yet I can see this being a fairly close encounter.

I have considered a raft of goal options, including total goal 0-1 @ 2.43, 2-3 @ 1.99 and 4-6 @ 4.42 but, ultimately, my *** bet is for honours even and a 1X2 Draw @ 2.96.

   

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