Napoli vs Spezia
28 January 2000hrs
Football – Italy – Serie A
Pick Both teams to score
Bookmaker Betway
Odds: 10/11 odds taken 2000 GMT, Wednesday 27 January
Napoli host Spezia on Wednesday night as both teams look to progress to the semi-final stage of the Coppa Italia with the eventual winners facing Atalanta.
Table of Contents
Napoli Preview – Can holders Napoli recover from back-to-back defeats to continue their defence of the cup?
The pressure is beginning to build on Rino Gattuso as his Napoli team continue to be inconsistent in a title race which many believe is wide open. Saturday’s 3-1 defeat away to Verona means the team from Naples now sit nine points behind leaders Milan although they do have a game in hand. Whilst Gattuso will point to that game in hand and potentially reducing the gap to just six points, it’s because there is still a chance for Napoli to challenge for the title that the owner could act.
Of course it was Gattuso who led Napoli to win last year’s Coppa Italia as recently as June when defeating Juventus on penalties after a goalless draw.
Spezia Preview – Are an in-form Spezia set to continue their excellent cup run and reach the last four?
It’s been a really encouraging start to 2021 for Spezia as they bid to preserve their top-flight status and prolong a run in the Coppa Italia which has been eventful already. They’re currently four points above the relegation zone – thanks in large to a win in Naples at the beginning of the year which they followed up with a win at home to Sampdoria. They will also feel frustrated at conceding in added time to lose 4-3 against Roma at the weekend.
Spezia find themselves competing in the quarter-final stage due to an administration error on Roma’s part in the previous round. A game that ended 4-2 after extra-time was eventually settled as a 3-0 win for Spezia.
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Unlike their opponents, Spezia have been plenty busy in the Coppa Italia so far this season. The match against Roma was their third game already having seen off Bologna after extra-time and Cittadella before that. This will be their fourth straight away fixture so if they do reach the semi-final stage they will certainly have earned it.
Mbala N’Zola is enjoying his first taste of Serie A action with the nine in the league already, including one in that 2-1 win against Napoli earlier this month. He will be the visitor’s biggest threat once again.
Napoli vs Spezia Betting Advice
This has the makings of a game that has plenty of goals. Napoli are free-scoring but they also give the opposition plenty of chances whilst Spezia are the second highest scorers in the bottom half of Serie A and have scored away to Inter, Naploi and Roma (twice) in the past few weeks.
Napoli will be well aware of the the treat their opponents pose following their meeting at the beginning of January and will be looking to exact some revenge.
Key Facts – Napoli vs Spezia Betting Tip
- Rina Gattuso led Napoli to win last year’s competition but he is under pressure coming into this tie
- Spezia qualified for this game having been awarded the previous round tie due to an administration error on Roma’s part
- The teams met as recently as the beginning of this month when Spezia won 2-1 in Naples
Napoli will not want to surrender their defence of the Coppa Italia but will have to be more ruthless in front of goal to see off a dangerous Spezia team. Ten of Spezia’s last 13 games have seen both teams scoring as has eight of Napoli’s last 11. It’s a sound selection in this one as well.
Best Betting Odds for Napoli vs Spezia
Napoli: to win: 3/10 Betvictor
Draw: 9/2 at Betvictor
Spezia: 8/1 at Betvictor
