📢 Can the reigning champions kick off the new season with a victory? The opening round of Serie A brings us a clash between Sassuolo and Napoli at the Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia. This match carries special significance for both teams: the hosts are returning to the top flight after a year in Serie B and aim to prove they can compete at the highest level, while the Partenopei take the field as defending champions, eager to assert their status from the very first minute.

Head-to-Head

📊 The head-to-head record between Sassuolo and Napoli heavily favors the Neapolitans. Out of 23 matches, Napoli have emerged victorious 14 times, while Sassuolo have only managed to win twice, with 7 games ending in a draw. Their most recent encounter in February 2024 was particularly telling: Napoli, playing away, thrashed their opponents 6-1. Victor Osimhen stole the spotlight with a hat-trick performance.

Sassuolo Calcio Team Overview

🟢 Last season, the "black and greens" dominated Serie B, emerging as the clear leaders. They amassed 82 points, secured the top spot, and smoothly returned to the top flight. Even two consecutive setbacks at the end didn't affect their final standing—the gap from their rivals was comfortable enough to maintain their champion status.

📌 Sassuolo had a solid summer preparation. The team remained unbeaten in their friendly matches, although they didn't face any formidable opponents. In the Coppa Italia, the "black and greens" kicked off with a home victory over Catanzaro (1-0). The hosts displayed significant dominance throughout the game, and the scoreline could have been much more decisive.

🔁 The club's transfer campaign also warrants attention: around 20 million euros were spent—a substantial sum for a Serie A newcomer. The most expensive acquisition was center-back Jay Idzes, who joined from Venezia for 8 million euros. Besides him, the club made targeted reinforcements, focusing on bolstering their defense and overall squad depth.

Napoli Team Overview

🔵 Last season, the "Partenopei" clinched the Italian championship, edging out Inter by just one point. The end of the season was tense, as the team slowed down, drawing with Genoa (2-2) and Parma (0-0). However, in the decisive round, Napoli managed to pull themselves together and defeated Cagliari (2-0), securing the long-awaited Scudetto.

📌 The preseason was a mixed bag. It started off poorly with a surprising defeat to Arezzo (0-2), a club from the third tier, which was an unexpected setback. However, the team gradually found their rhythm and concluded their preparations on a high note with three consecutive victories. This boosted their confidence ahead of the new season.

🔁 The transfer window showcased the club's serious ambitions for the upcoming season, with over 100 million euros spent and top-level players brought in. Goalkeeper Vanja Milinković-Savić has been brought in to address issues in goal, while the arrival of Kevin De Bruyne, one of the best attacking midfielders in the game today, undoubtedly enhances the team's creative and offensive capabilities. These moves clearly indicate that Napoli aim not only to defend their championship title but also to solidify their reputation as Italy's strongest team.

Latest news

Sassuolo Calcio

📣 Sassuolo head coach Fabio Grosso offered a brief yet inspiring comment, emphasizing his team's confidence: "Yes, they're strong, but we also know what we're capable of. Today, I ask my players for the same thing that the owners and management demand from me: to keep dreaming."

🚫 Sassuolo are facing certain squad issues. Kristian Thorstvedt's participation is in doubt as he deals with physical discomfort and isn't fully fit yet. There's also uncertainty surrounding Ruan Tressoldi— the defender is recovering from a knee injury and might miss the upcoming match if he doesn't regain full fitness. These lineup gaps pose significant challenges for the coaching staff, given their limited rotation options.

Napoli

📣 Napoli's head coach Antonio Conte emphasized that the team is in a development phase despite their recent triumph: "Yes, we did indeed win the title – it was an outstanding, incredible achievement. But now we need to take the second step before thinking about the third." He also highlighted the importance of balance and flexibility: "Balance is a key element for any team. When I say we are in a development process, I mean we are exploring different solutions. We did this throughout last season as well."

🚫 Napoli face more tangible issues. Miguel Gutierrez remains sidelined with an ankle injury, and his return is expected only by early September. An even more troubling loss is Romelu Lukaku: the forward is out with a thigh injury, and his recovery will extend at least until mid-October. The absence of the Belgian significantly reduces the team's attacking options, which could impact their effectiveness at the start of the season.

⚽️ Goal Prediction

⚽️ Goal Prediction

Sassuolo, as they kick off the season, are likely to play cautiously and let their opponents take the initiative, opting to play on the counter. This strategy should help the hosts maintain balance at least in the early stages, and it's possible that the first half could end goalless. However, after the break, Napoli's superior quality and squad depth might allow them to break down the opposition's defense and create scoring opportunities. It's worth noting that Sassuolo have conceded after halftime in 6 of their last 7 Serie A head-to-heads. We are backing Napoli to score in the second half.

🚩 Corner Prediction

Towards the end of last season, both teams showed a restrained approach regarding set-pieces. The total of under 11.5 corners occurred in 6 of Sassuolo's last 7 matches (Serie B) and in 10 of Napoli's last 11 matches (Serie A). Clearly, neither side focused on constant crosses or frequent deliveries from the flanks, preferring a more measured possession game. Therefore, the upcoming match is unlikely to feature a high number of corners. In this context, a bet on under 11.5 total corners seems quite reasonable.