(Football news) The two southern giants of Serie A, AS Roma and Napoli face each other in the Derby del Sole and it promises to be an enthralling encounter at Stadio Olimpico. The two sides are separated by just four points in the standings and a win will help either team a boost in their Scudetto credentials at the other's expense. While Napoli remain unbeaten, the Giallorossi on the other hand have won their last three league matches following Monday's win at Sampdoria. Napoli are setting a relentless pace at the top of both Serie A and Champions League as they have won each of their last 10 games in all competitions, and only once in their history have they enjoyed a longer winning run.
It was back in their mid-80s when Diego Maradona used to rule in Naples as the Campanian club managed to string together 11 wins on the bounce and victory against Roma would match the feat set in 1986. Among their 25 league goals Napoli have this season and 17 goals from four Champions League matches, Napoli have had 15 different scorers that is level with Bayern Munich, they have the most different goal scorers in the top five European Leagues. Roma have won their last three Serie A matches and if they win against Napoli that would be four wins in a row for the first time under Mourinho. However, the capital side have a long-standing weakness against other top-six candidates as they are winless in their last 12 home matches losing each of the most recent three encounters also.
Roma possible starting lineup:
Patricio; Mancini, Smalling, Ibanez; Karsdorp, Cristante, Matic, Spinazzola; Pellegrini, Zaniolo; Abraham
Napoli possible starting lineup:
Meret; Di Lorenzo, Kim, Jesus, Rui; Ndombele, Lobotka, Zielinski; Lozano, Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia
Contesting a special derby in Serie A for the very first time, defending champions AC Milan host Monza as the former Rossoneri owners return to San Siro with their side seeking an upset to surpass even their win over Juventus. The hosts on the other hand target three points to stay in touch at the top of the Serie A standings and Stefano Pioli's side have now won seven of their first 10 league matches. They remain Serie A's only unbeaten side away from home throughout 2022.
This week they return to San Siro, having won each of their last six home fixtures against promoted sides that also without conceding a single goal. The last team fresh from Serie B at San Siro were plucky Benevento back in April 2018 when AC Milan ran out comprehensive winners. With more players coming back from injury, Pioli now can select a side benefiting from a rare block of training, uninterrupted by midweek matches as we should expect a sharp performance against their ambitious Lombardy rivals.
AC Milan possible starting lineup:
Tatarusanu; Kalulu, Tomori, Gabbia, Hernandez; Tonali, Bennacer; Diaz, De Ketelaere, Leao; Rebic
Monza possible starting lineup:
Di Gregorio; Marlon, Mari, Izzo; Carlos, Sensi, Barberis, Ciurria; Caprari, Pessina; Gytkjaer
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