Napoli are almost there. A point clear of Inter at the top of the table, they will win the Serie A title by beating Cagliari on Friday night.
If Antonio Conte’s side are triumphant here, it would not matter what happens when Inter face Como. Will Napoli get the job done in front of their own supporters?
Napoli vs Cagliari best bets
Napoli vs Cagliari odds
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Napoli vs Cagliari predictions
The Serie A title race will reach a conclusion on Friday night – or will it?
There is the tantalising prospect of a play-off match to determine which of Napoli or Inter claims the scudetto. If the two teams finish level on points, a one-off meeting between the pair will be held to separate them.
For that to happen, Napoli would have to lose to Cagliari, and Inter would have to draw with Como.
Of those two outcomes, the second one looks more likely than the first. Como are the form team in Serie A since the start of last month, having taken 19 points from the last 21 available.
Inter are playing away from home rather than in front of their own fans, while Napoli seldom lose on their own turf.
Strange things can happen when the pressure is on, however, and it is fair to say that Napoli are under more scrutiny than Inter.
After all, they are the team with their fate in their own hands, although they very nearly ceded that to Inter after a dramatic evening of action on Sunday.
The two sides played simultaneously, with each keeping a close eye on the other. Napoli were held to a 0-0 draw with Parma, which gave Inter the chance to leapfrog them at the penultimate hurdle.
For a while, it looked like Inter were poised to do precisely that. The Nerazzurri led Lazio 2-1 heading into the closing stages of the game, but a Pedro Rodriguez penalty in the 90th minute broke Inter’s hearts.
That 2-2 draw at San Siro means Napoli remain a point clear at the summit of the standings. If they get the job done against Cagliari, the outcome of Como vs Inter is irrelevant. Antonio Conte’s charges are in control of the situation.
“We are close to the scudetto, but we still have to take that final step. It will be taken on our home turf, with the support of our fans,” Conte, who is banned from the touchline on Friday, said this week.
“It is a very difficult campaign, we have achieved what we wanted to do, which was to trouble the leaders to the end. We have been at the top for a long time, despite a season full of difficulties… we are right there to achieve something unthinkable and historic for Napoli.”
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Napoli vs Cagliari betting tips
Napoli are one win away from the Serie A title – will they get what they need on Friday night?
Napoli to win to nil
Napoli have shown signs of nervousness in their last two games, drawing with both Genoa and Parma.
Conte’s side were unfortunate to fail to win the first of those contests, but they were below par against Parma and struggled to create meaningful opportunities throughout.
Needless to say, they would have settled for being in this position at the start of the season. Napoli need just one more big performance to seize the scudetto.
It is hard to see them falling short. Cagliari are safe from the threat of relegation and no longer have anything to play for.
Napoli have the best defensive record in the division, and they will lean on that strength against Cagliari.
⚽ Back Napoli to win to nil at 5/6 with Paddy Power ⚽
Under 1.5 goals first half
In an ideal scenario, Napoli would storm into a 3-0 lead in the first 20 minutes to calm the nerves at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
Much depends on whether Cagliari are able to survive the first quarter of an hour or so. If they do, anxiety will spread among the home fans – especially if Inter are ahead against Como.
Napoli have been level or behind at half-time in 11 of their 18 Serie A home games, so it is by no means certain that they will hold a lead at the interval.
We anticipate a tight and cagey opening 45 minutes, although it would not be at all surprising if Napoli scored one goal to take the edge off.
⚽Tip under 1.5 goals in the first half at 8/13 with Ladbrokes ⚽
Romelu Lukaku to score any time
Romelu Lukaku won the league with Conte at Inter, and he is now one game away from repeating the feat at Napoli.
Lukaku has not had an outstanding campaign, but his 13 goals in Serie A have helped Napoli into the position they are in.
The Belgium international has not exactly been prolific of late, finding the net just once in his last five appearances.
But Lukaku’s penalty-box presence will be important against a Cagliari side that will sit deep and look to spoil.
The experienced striker should step up for Napoli on Friday.
⚽ Choose Romelu Lukaku to score any time at 8/11 with bet365 ⚽
📺 How to watch Napoli vs Cagliari
- Location: Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Naples, Italy.
- Date and time: Friday 23rd May, 7.45pm.
- How to watch: OneFootball.
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About the author
Greg Lea
Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.
Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball
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