Napoli Vs Como

Napoli will aim to extend their impressive run at the top of Serie A when they host Como at Stadio Maradona on Friday evening. This marks Napoli’s first time back at the summit of the league table in over a year, and they will be eager to maintain their momentum, especially given their strong home record against Como in Serie A.

The hosts have been dominant in their previous encounters with the Lombardy side, boasting a perfect home record in the top flight. However, Como arrive in Naples with their own wave of confidence, having shown good form recently.

Match Preview

Under the guidance of head coach Antonio Conte, Napoli has rediscovered their championship-winning form from 2023. With 13 points from six matches, they currently sit one point ahead of Juventus, marking their return to the top of Serie A. Napoli’s journey this season has been marked by some standout performances, including a recent 5-0 thrashing of Serie B side Palermo in the Coppa Italia, securing their place in the last 16 of the competition.

Last weekend, they followed up with another solid performance against Monza, scoring twice within an 11-minute window in the first half to effectively seal the victory. Matteo Politano's goal in the match made him one of just three active players to score in 10 consecutive Serie A seasons, joining Duvan Zapata and Paulo Dybala in this elite group. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia added a second goal to cement the win for Napoli.

Despite missing their first-choice goalkeeper due to injury and adjusting to a back-four defensive setup, Napoli managed to keep a clean sheet for the fourth consecutive match. This marked their sixth shut-out in eight games this season, further underlining the strength of their defense.

At home, Napoli has been flawless, collecting all nine points from three Serie A matches at Stadio Maradona, scoring seven goals and conceding just one. With such form, Conte’s side will be confident heading into this weekend’s clash, particularly given their historical dominance over Como, having won 77% of their top-flight meetings, with 17 victories from 22 matches.

Como's Challenge

While Napoli’s record against Como is formidable, the visitors will be looking to end a long-standing winless streak in Naples. The last time the two sides met in Serie B over 20 years ago, Como won both matches. However, in Serie A, Como has never earned a point from their 11 trips to Naples.

Como, a club that has undergone a significant revival under ambitious ownership, will hope to change their fortunes this time around. They are coming off their first Serie A win in 21 years, having secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Hellas Verona last week. That win extended their unbeaten run to three matches, lifting them to 10th place in the standings with eight points.

Leading the charge for Como is striker Patrick Cutrone, who scored twice in their victory over Verona. Andrea Belotti also found the back of the net, ending a long goal drought. Como’s recent performances have shown a team in form, and they will be keen to continue their upward trajectory.

As Como head to Naples, Cesc Fabregas, who now plays a crucial role for the team, will be relishing the chance to face his former Chelsea boss Antonio Conte. Como has scored three goals in consecutive Serie A matches for just the second time in their history, a feat last achieved during the 1951-52 season.

Napoli’s Defensive Test

Despite Napoli’s solid defensive form, Como’s recent attacking resurgence means the hosts must remain vigilant. If Napoli’s backline can hold strong, they will be well-positioned to head into the international break with their spot at the top of the table secure.

With Napoli in top form and Como gaining confidence, Friday’s match promises to be an intriguing contest as both teams look to continue their positive runs.