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Genoa logo
Serie A | Gameweek 17
Dec 21, 2024 at 5pm UK
Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris
Napoli logo

Genoa
1 - 2
Napoli

Pinamonti (51')
Sabelli (62'), Frendrup (84')
FT(HT: 0-2)
Zambo Anguissa (15'), Rrahmani (23')
Jesus (32')

Preview: Genoa vs. Napoli - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Serie A clash between Genoa and Napoli, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Aiming to reclaim the Serie A summit - for one day, at least - second-placed Napoli will visit an improving Genoa side on Saturday.

The Azzurri head for Stadio Luigi Ferraris having responded to consecutive defeats by beating Udinese, while their hosts have inched away from the drop zone since Patrick Vieira took charge.


Match preview

Romelu Lukaku of Napoli on September 21, 2024© Imago

Back-to-back losses in league and cup may have stalled Napoli's superb start to the season, but after suffering two defeats to Lazio within less than a week, Antonio Conte's side soon returned to winning ways.

Trailing at half time to Udinese last weekend, Romelu Lukaku's strike shortly after the break hauled them level, before an own-goal and Frank Anguissa's late finish ultimately secured a 3-1 victory.

Sitting just behind relentless Serie A leaders Atalanta BC, the Azzurri occupy second spot in the table on 35 points from 17 matches - an impressive tally that is already familiar to Conte.

Having previously done so with Juventus and Inter Milan, he is the only coach ever to hit that mark at this stage for three different clubs - and he won the Scudetto with both of the others.

With no continental football or Coppa Italia to consider, claiming the title will be Napoli's sole focus for the next few months, and their defensive record suggests they could well be crowned champions.

Not only have they conceded only twice in their last seven Serie A away matches, but since the start of September they have also kept five clean sheets on the road - a joint-best across Europe's top five leagues.

Genoa head coach Patrick Vieira on November 24, 2024© Imago

Precedent will certainly be on the visitors' side at Marassi, as over the past 14 years, Genoa have won only two of their last 27 top-flight meetings with Napoli.

However, the Grifone can make it seven straight league games unbeaten when they welcome their Campanian counterparts to Liguria on Saturday, having been revived since changing coach during the November international break.

New boss Patrick Vieira has gone undefeated through his first four matches, most recently overseeing a gritty goalless draw with AC Milan at San Siro - one of several stops during his illustrious playing career.

Genoa have now kept clean sheets in each of their last three games, and such solidity has helped them climb up to 13th place - albeit still only two points above the drop zone.

Though a familiar scrap for survival awaits, a new era is under way at the club. While Vieira will take care of the first team, Romanian businessman Dan Sucu has just acquired a majority stake; the owner of Rapid Bucharest in his homeland steps in after the previous owners went bankrupt.

Genoa Serie A form:

Napoli Serie A form:


Napoli form (all competitions):



Team News

Napoli coach Antonio Conte on November 3, 2024© Imago

After enjoying a good run without many absences, Napoli boss Antonio Conte must make do without defensive rock Alessandro Buongiorno, while chief creator Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is only fir enough for the bench.

Either Rafa Marin or Juan Jesus should replace Buongiorno, while David Neres deputises for Kvaratskhelia on the left wing. Though Pasquale Mazzocchi and Michael Folorunsho are both doubts, Frank Anguissa is set to overcome an illness and continue his integral role in midfield.

Up front, Romelu Lukaku has scored seven goals in six Serie A games against Genoa to date, making them his favourite opponent in Italian football.

Meanwhile, the hosts are all too familiar with seeing their squad depleted by injury: Koni De Winter, Jeff Ekhator, Junior Messias and Ruslan Malinovskyi are still sidelined.

With veteran striker Mario Balotelli sparingly used since his return to Italy - and also laid low by a fever - the Grifone's attack will be led by five-goal top scorer Andrea Pinamonti.


Genoa possible starting lineup:
Leali; Sabelli, Bani, Vasquez, Martin; Frendrup, Badelj, Thorsby; Zanoli, Pinamonti, Miretti

Napoli possible starting lineup:
Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Jesus, Olivera; Anguissa, Lobotka; Politano, McTominay, Neres; Lukaku


SM words green background

We say: Genoa 0-1 Napoli

Two teams that prioritise caution over free-flowing football could produce a close-fought contest at Marassi, where Genoa have yet to win a league game this season.

That wait will go on, as Napoli can eventually break their hosts down and claim the three points that will take them top.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


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Written by
Jonathan O'Shea

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Game History

How you voted: Genoa vs Napoli

Genoa
Draw
Napoli
Genoa
11.4%
Draw
19.0%
Napoli
69.6%
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CNapoli382410459273282
2Inter Milan38249579354481
3Atalanta BCAtalanta38228878374174
4Juventus381816458352370
5Roma38209956352169
6Fiorentina381981160411965
7Lazio381811961491265
8AC Milan381891161431863
9Bologna381614857471062
10Como381310154952-349
11Torino381014143945-644
12Udinese38128184156-1544
13Genoa381013153749-1243
14Hellas VeronaHellas Verona38107213466-3237
15CagliariCagliari3899204056-1636
16Parma38715164458-1436
17Lecce38810202758-3134
18Empoli38613193359-2631
19VeneziaVenezia38514193256-2429
RMonza3839262869-4118


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