The Matchday 1 clash in Serie A between Sassuolo and Napoli will take place on August 23 at the Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia. Sassuolo vs. Napoli: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Sassuolo
Last season, the team confidently won Serie B, amassing 82 points in 38 matches, earning the right to compete in the elite of Italian football. Additionally, Sassuolo scored the most goals in the championship – 78. However, the club faltered at the end of the season, losing their last two home games. Despite this, Fabio Grosso's side became the best home team in Serie B with 44 points. In the off-season, the team played four friendly matches, winning two and drawing two.
During the summer transfer window, defender Jeremy Toljan left the team. Meanwhile, the club acquired the rights to midfielder Tarik Muharemovic, who played on loan at Sassuolo last season. The squad was also strengthened by goalkeeper Arijanet Muric, defenders Sebastian Walukiewicz and Jay Idzes, midfielder Ismael Kone, and forward Alieu Fadera.
- The team has not won in 7 of their last 9 home matches in Serie A (3 draws, 4 losses).
- The club scored exactly 1 or 2 goals in 11 of their last 14 home league games.
- No more than three goals were scored in 5 of Sassuolo's last 6 home games in Serie A.
Predicted lineup for Sassuolo (4-3-3)
Stefano Turati – Josh Doig, Jay Idzes, Fali Cande, Sebastian Walukiewicz – Andrea Ghion, Daniel Boloca, Ismael Kone – Armand Lauriente, Andrea Pinamonti, Domenico Berardi.
Napoli
Last season was triumphant for the Neapolitans – Antonio Conte's side won Serie A, finishing one point ahead of Inter in the standings. This title was the team's second in their history, and in the previous four seasons, Napoli only once finished below third place in the league. Notably, in the last Serie A campaign, the club had the league's most reliable defense, conceding just 27 goals. Moreover, Napoli kept a clean sheet in 6 of their last 7 league matches. In the off-season, Napoli played seven friendly matches, winning four (1 draw, 2 losses).
It's worth noting the club's acquisition of midfielder Kevin De Bruyne in the current transfer window. The team also added goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, defenders Miguel Gutierrez, Sam Beukema, and Luca Marianucci, as well as forwards Lorenzo Lucca and Noa Lang. Meanwhile, forward Giacomo Raspadori left the club.
- The team has not lost in 17 of their last 18 away matches in Serie A (10 wins, 7 draws).
- The club has not scored more than once in their last six away league games.
- No more than two goals were scored in Napoli's last five away matches in Serie A.
Predicted lineup for Napoli (4-3-3)
Alex Meret – Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Amir Rrahmani, Alessandro Buongiorno, Mathias Olivera – Matteo Politano, Kevin De Bruyne, Stanislav Lobotka, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Scott McTominay – Lorenzo Lucca.
Forward Romelu Lukaku will miss about three months due to injury.
Referee
Giovanni Ayroldi (Italy)
Matches – 10 (Serie A, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 62;
Average yellow cards per match – 6.2;
Red cards shown – 4;
Average fouls per match – 27;
Penalties – 40%.
Sassuolo vs. Napoli: Match Prediction
In my opinion, the Serie A newcomer can offer worthy resistance to the champion. Sassuolo generally performs successfully at home, and last season they became the best home team in Serie B. Additionally, in the top Italian division, the team also has a good home record: in 11 of their last 14 home matches in Serie A, the club did not lose by more than one goal.
Napoli, meanwhile, did not leave a strong impression in their recent away games. In their last nine away league encounters, Antonio Conte's side secured only three victories, and they never won by more than one goal in this stretch. Additionally, in their last six away matches in Serie A, Napoli failed to score more than one goal.
I expect Napoli to face serious resistance from the hosts, so my prediction: Sassuolo with a handicap (+1.5)
