It’s back to Serie A this weekend both for AS Roma and Napoli, who will be looking to bounce back from respective midweek Coppa Italia semi-finals disappointment. Two of Italy’s high-flying sides collide in a hugely important match for both sides on Saturday.

Fifth in a row for Roma?

Even though their flying form has suffered a dent with defeats to Villarreal in the UEFA Europa League and to Lazio in the Coppa Italia, nothing is lost for Giallorossi as they still have a chance to go through in both competitions and at the same time continue the Serie A title push. Spalletti’s men have won last four league matches and will be looking to make it five in a row as they are determined to extend the lead in front of Napoli in second place in the standings to eight points. Luciano Spalletti’s men are coming off from a tight schedule which saw them play a series of high-profile matches against respectable rivals such as Inter and Lazio last time out. Giallorossi lacked the recognizable edge against Biancocelesti in the 2-0 midweek defeat in the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-finals and Roma will be urged to get back up on their feet as soon as possible for the Saturday’s clash. Spalletti will be hopeful his key men will get back in form following a disappointing display against bitter city rivals when Roma looked tired, and not their usual selves.

Florenzi and Spinozzi are still nursing their knee injuries and will be ruled out from the Saturday’s clash at Olimpico. Fortunately for Spalletti, Roma have no additional selection worries.

Can Napoli bounce back from consecutive defeats?

Maurizzio Sarri’s brilliant work has been hugely applauded as the Napoli boss made his team into a highly-organized unit and an attack-oriented side playing attractive brand of football, while at the same time making notable results in the league. Still, it was the 3-1 Champions League defeat away at Real Madrid that exposed all of Napoli’s weaknesses and it is now up to Sarri to try and repair his team before it is too late. Partenopei bounced back from the European set-back with a 3-1 win at Chiev, but suffered back-to-back blows to Atalanta and Juventus last time out. Dybala’s brace and a goal from Napoli’s old-boy Gonzalo Higuain stuck a dagger in Napoli’s heart in the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final and it now remains to be seen if Napoli have the mental strength to recover in time for another high-profile clash against Roma. It will be easier said than done as Napoli have failed to win in any of the last four meetings with the Romans, so it remains to be seen if Partenopei will be able to break the duck this time out.

Allan is still on the sidelines due to his groin injury, whereas Lorenzo Tonelli is another unavailable player for the visitors.

Verdict

Both Roma and Napoli boasts plenty of attack-oriented players who like to play and compete at the highest level so we expect to see an openly-contested match between two sides who are looking to remain in the running behind leaders Juventus. Roma head in the game with slight advantage, but anything is possible in games like this one.

Top pick: Both teams to score – Yes   1.56 (5/9) @10Bet

Alternative pick 1: Roma   2.15 (23/20) @WilliamHill

Alternative pick 1: Edin Dzeko to score anytime   2.45 (16/11) @888sport