Napoli vs SPAL Preview: How to Watch on TV, Live Stream, Kick Off Time & Team News
By Josh Sim
Napoli aim to continue their unbeaten run when they host relegation-threatened SPAL on Sunday evening.
A 2-0 victory over Hellas Verona mean that Gli Azzurri remain in sixth place, 12 points behind fourth-place Atalanta having not lost a game since Italian football returned – including victory in the final of the Coppa Italia.
They will be looking to extend their great form against SPAL, whose 1-0 defeat against Cagliari means that they remain seven points adrift of safety in the relegation zone, with eleven games remaining to save their top-flight status.
Where to Watch
When is Kick Off? Sunday 28 June
What Time is Kick Off? 18:30 (GMT)
Where Is it Played? Stadio San Paolo
TV Channel/Live Stream? Premier Sports 1 (UK), fuboTV (US)
Team News
Defender Kevin Malcuit (anterior cruciate ligament) is Napoli's only confirmed absentee for this game, while Greek international Kostas Manolas missed the trip to Verona and is considered a doubt for Sunday. Dries Mertens and Fabián Ruiz should to return to Gennaro Gattuso's starting lineup, after both started from the bench in the last game.
As for Gli Spallini, they only have one injury to contend with. Goalkeeper Etrit Berisha (broken hand) has been ruled out for the remainder of the season, so Karlo Letica will continue to start in his place.
Predicted Lineup
Napoli: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Maksimović, Koulibaly, Rui; Zieliński, Demme, Ruiz; Insigne, Mertens, Callejón.
SPAL: Letica; Cionek, Vicari, Bonifazi, Reca; Missiroli, Valdifiori, Valoti; Castro, Petagna, Espeto.
Recent Form
Gli Azzurri have yet to lose a game since Italian football resumed, including winning the Coppa Italia final on penalties. Their recent 2-0 victory at Hellas Verona was their fourth consecutive league win, and they'll look to notch up another one before their fixtures gets more difficult, with games against Atalanta and Roma to come.
As for SPAL, they returned to Serie A action with a 1-0 defeat at home to Cagliari – and have won just five league games all season. If they want to retain their top-flight status for the 2020/21 campaign, then they'll need to string together multiple victories...as five won't be enough to stay up. Obviously.
Here's how both sides have fared in their last five matches.
Napoli
Hellas Verona 0-2 Napoli (23/6)
Napoli 0-0 Juventus (17/6)
Napoli 1-1 Inter (13/6)
Napoli 2-1 Torino (29/2)
Napoli 1-1 Barcelona (25/2)
SPAL
SPAL 0-1 Cagliari (23/6)
Parma 0-1 SPAL (8/3)
SPAL 1-2 Juventus (22/2)
Lecce 2-1 SPAL (15/2)
SPAL 1-2 Sassuolo (9/2)
Prediction
SPAL held Napoli to a surprise 1-1 draw back in October, and should not be underestimated by the hosts, who need a win to maintain their slim hopes of qualifying for the Champions League next season.
But given their recent resurgence under Gattuso, Gli Azzurri will be expected to pick up the three points comfortably against a side who looked resigned to playing in Serie B for the 2020/21 campaign.
Prediction: Napoli 3-0 SPAL
