History awaits Napoli as they approach Friday night's Serie A title decider, when a home win over Cagliari would clinch top spot above Inter Milan.

After both sides slipped up last week, the Scudetto could still go either way, or even be decided by a playoff: the Partenopei are just one point clear of Inter, who visit Como in a simultaneous game.

Match preview

© Imago

Two years on from their most recent triumph, Napoli could now win just the fourth Scudetto in their long history - after 1986-87, 1989-90, then Luciano Spalletti's class of 2022-23 - surpassing Roma to be crowned champions more times than any other southern side.

The title race reached its penultimate round last week, with the leaders visiting lowly Parma on 'Super Sunday', when nine games were played simultaneously. Meanwhile, Inter hosted Lazio, and there was no shortage of late twists in an already fascinating plot.

Despite striking the woodwork twice - through Frank Anguissa and Matteo Politano - Napoli were forced to settle for a goalless draw at Stadio Tardini, while their Milanese rivals let two leads slip at San Siro, with controversial VAR calls affecting both.

Still, the Partenopei maintained their slim advantage, and despite a distinct lack of fluency they have won four and drawn two of their last six outings, conceding only two goals.

Coach Antonio Conte - trying to lead a third different team to the Italian title, after Inter and Juventus - may be set for just a one-year stay due to his frosty relationship with club president Aurelio De Laurentiis, but it could yet end in glory.

Napoli are still masters of their own destiny, as victory this weekend will wrap up the title; even if they lose and Inter draw, a dramatic playoff for top spot would then take place next Monday.

On course for the lowest points average of any winner since Juventus in 1994-95, it has been far from a vintage campaign, but Conte has claimed their achievements merit acclaim nonetheless.

Stripped of former stars Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, his side can now become the first in a 20-team Serie A season to win the title after finishing as low as 10th place a year earlier, beating his own record with Juve in 2011-12 - they had previously finished seventh.

Napoli may have scored a modest 57 goals so far - way below the usual standard for champions - but their spearhead will have fond memories of meeting Cagliari. Romelu Lukaku's first start for his current club was in September's reverse fixture, when he scored once and set up two goals in an emphatic 4-0 win.

Furthermore, Napoli have won nine of the teams' last 12 league meetings at Stadio Maradona, averaging 2.5 goals per game, so history suggests they can spark scenes of joy across Naples on Friday night.

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Cagliari, meanwhile, must play the role of party-spoilers in their final fixture of what has been a relatively successful season.

Last week's 3-0 win over relegation rivals Venezia - set in motion by Roberto Piccoli's 10th Serie A strike of the campaign - made sure of mathematical safety with one game to play.

The Rossoblu have already accrued as many points as they did last term (36), when Claudio Ranieri guided the Sardinian side to survival on their top-flight return. In fact, they are on track to finish 14th, and only a victory for Hellas Verona could deny them.

As Davide Nicola's men might already have one eye on the beach - and have won just three away games all season - they may seem unlikely candidates to stand in Napoli's way.

Yet, Friday's hosts have recently faltered against bottom-half clubs such as Venezia, Genoa and Parma, so carefree Cagliari may fancy adding their name to that list.

Team News

© Imago

Napoli's midfield metronome Stanislav Lobotka and defensive rock Alessandro Buongiorno hope to return for the Serie A season finale - both having exacerbated existing injuries by coming back too early - but it remains to be seen whether either will be sufficiently fit to start.

Juan Jesus is also set to make himself available after a layoff, but Antonio Conte could still keep faith with makeshift centre-back Mathias Olivera, who usually plays on the left.

If Lobotka cannot play 90 minutes, Billy Gilmour would be retained in central midfield, linking up with fellow Scotland star Scott McTominay, who has recorded seven goal involvements at the Maradona in 2025 so far.

Romelu Lukaku has played a direct role in nine goals at home this calendar year - the most of any Serie A player - and he should be supported by Giacomo Raspadori, with speedy winger David Neres being deployed as an impact sub.

While Lukaku leads the line for Napoli, Cagliari striker Roberto Piccoli reached double figures for the season last time out. Fellow forward Leonardo Pavoletti - renowned for several 'super-sub' heroics - has returned from suspension, but he now misses out through injury.

Zito Luvumbo, Mattia Felici and Gianluca Gaetano are also sidelined, opening an opportunity for Nicolas Viola to join Piccoli in the final third.

Meanwhile, Napoli loanee Elia Caprile - who swapped clubs with Simone Scuffet in January - will start in goal against his parent club.

Napoli possible starting lineup:
Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Olivera, Spinazzola; Politano, Anguissa, Gilmour, McTominay; Raspadori, Lukaku

Cagliari possible starting lineup:
Caprile; Zappa, Mina, Luperto; Zortea, Deiola, Makoumbou, Adopo, Augello; Viola; Piccoli

© PA Photos

We say: Napoli 1-0 Cagliari

Given Napoli's limitations, they may struggle to score once again - particularly when faced by a tense Stadio Maradona, and with so much at stake.

Yet, Cagliari have virtually nothing to play for and are sure to switch off at least once; that could be enough for the hosts to pounce and ultimately seize the Scudetto.


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Written by
Jonathan O'Shea

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