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 was the top scorer in the championship with 78 goals. However, the club faltered at the end of the season, losing their last two home matches. Nevertheless, this did not prevent Fabio Grosso's side from becoming the best home team in Serie B with 44 points. During the off-season, the team played four friendlies, securing two wins and two draws.
During the summer transfer window, defender Jeremy Toljan left the team. Meanwhile, the club acquired the rights to midfielder Tarik Muharemovic, who played for Sassuolo on loan 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 has scored exactly 1 or 2 goals in 11 of their last 14 home league matches.
- No more than three goals have been 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 Candé, Sebastian Walukiewicz – Kristian Thorstvedt, 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 over the previous four seasons, Napoli only once finished below third place in the league. It's also worth noting that Napoli had the most reliable defense in the league last season, conceding just 27 goals. Furthermore, in 6 of their last 7 league matches, the Neapolitans kept a clean sheet. During the off-season, Napoli played six friendlies, winning three (1 draw, 2 losses).
The club made a notable signing in midfielder Kevin De Bruyne during the current transfer window. The squad was also bolstered by goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, defenders Miguel Gutierrez, Sam Beukema, and Luca Marianucci, as well as forwards Lorenzo Lucca and Noa Lang. At the same time, 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 matches.
- No more than two goals have been scored in Napoli's last five away games in Serie A.
Predicted lineup for Napoli (4-3-3)
Alex Meret – Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Amir Rrahmani, Alessandro Buongiorno, Mathias Olivera – Kevin De Bruyne, Stanislav Lobotka, Scott McTominay – Matteo Politano, Lorenzo Lucca, Noa Lang.
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 is capable of offering strong resistance to the champion. Sassuolo generally performs well at home, having been the best home team in Serie B last season. Furthermore, in the top Italian division, the team also has a good home record: in 11 of their last 14 home league matches, the club did not lose by more than one goal.
Napoli, on the other hand, has not left a strong impression in their recent away matches. Over their last nine away league encounters, Antonio Conte's side has secured only three wins, never winning by more than one goal. Additionally, in their last six away matches in Serie A, the Neapolitans failed to score more than one goal.
I expect Napoli to face significant resistance from the hosts, so my prediction: Sassuolo with a handicap (+1.5)
