Napoli vs Sassuolo Prediction - Serie A: Maradona's Fortress and the effort to defend the top 3.

Napoli will host Sassuolo in the latest round of Serie A at their home ground, Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. With their status as a top-of-the-table team and the absolute advantage of playing at home, the Partenopei are expected to secure all three points to maintain pressure on their rivals above them in the standings.

Napoli's impregnable fortress

Napoli are having an impressive season, currently sitting in 3rd place in the league table with 40 points after 20 rounds. Their biggest advantage is playing at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Here, Napoli have maintained an unbeaten record since the start of the season, with 6 wins and 3 draws.

Napoli's form in their last five matches is two wins and three draws. Despite missing some key players due to injury, their attack has maintained a consistent scoring rate, averaging 1.5 goals per game. Notably, Napoli's defense is one of the most solid in the league, conceding an average of only 0.9 goals per game.

Sassuolo and its severe crisis.

In stark contrast to the home team, Sassuolo is going through an extremely difficult period. The away team is currently ranked 11th with 23 points and is showing signs of a rapid decline. In their last 5 matches, Sassuolo has not tasted victory, with 3 losses and 2 draws.

Sassuolo's difficulties were compounded when they had to travel to Napoli with a severely depleted squad. The absence of numerous key players due to injury significantly weakened their strength, especially in their goal-scoring ability, with an average of only 1.2 goals per game, while their defense conceded an average of 1.4 goals per game.

Current rankings

The history of their rivalry heavily favors one side.

Historical head-to-head statistics overwhelmingly favor the home team. In their last five encounters, Napoli have won all five matches against Sassuolo. Past results like 6-1 and 4-0 demonstrate the vast difference in skill between the two clubs. In their most recent meeting in August 2025, Napoli comfortably defeated their opponent 2-0 away from home.

Team news: A wave of injuries has swept through both teams.

Both teams enter this match with fairly long injury lists, which will undoubtedly affect the quality of the game.

• Napoli:The home team will be without F. Anguissa, K. De Bruyne, B. Gilmour, and R. Lukaku due to thigh and groin injuries. Goalkeeper A. Meret's participation remains uncertain due to a shoulder injury.
• Sassuolo:The list of absentees is extensive, including D. Berardi, D. Boloca, F. Cande, E. Pieragnolo, F. Romagna, K. Thorstvedt, and C. Volpato. Most of these key players are suffering from muscle, knee, and shoulder problems.

Match analysis

Based on statistical indicators, Napoli has a 50% chance of winning, while the possibility of a draw is also assessed at 50%. Sassuolo, with their depleted squad, have almost no chance of causing an upset away from home.

Despite the absence of several attacking stars like Lukaku and De Bruyne, Napoli still possesses a smoothly functioning system and the character of a great team. A narrow victory or a high-scoring draw is the most likely scenario at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

Forecast:Napoli win or draw.

Team lineup updated at 23:23 on 17/01/2026

Official lineup

Napoli

Diagram: 3-4-2-1

CoachAntonio Conte

Starting lineup:

• 32. Vanja Milinković-Savić (G)
• 31. Sam Beukema (D)
• 13. Amir Rrahmani (D)
• 5. Juan Jesus (D)
• 22. Giovanni Di Lorenzo (M)
• 68. Stanislav Lobotka (M)
• 8. Scott McTominay (M)
• 37. Leonardo Spinazzola (M)
• 26. Antonio Vergara (F)
• 20. Eljif Elmas (F)
• 19. Rasmus Højlund (F)

Substitutes:

• 25. Mathias Ferrante
• 14. Nikita Contini
• 35. Luca Marianucci
• 4. Alessandro Buongiorno
• 3. Miguel Gutiérrez
• 17. Mathías Olivera
• 30. Pasquale Mazzocchi
• 70. Noa Lang
• 21. Matteo Politano
• 27. Lorenzo Lucca
• 69. Giuseppe Ambrosino

Sassuolo

Diagram: 4-3-3

CoachFabio Grosso

Starting lineup:

• 49. Arijanet Murić (G)
• 6. Sebastian Walukiewicz (D)
• 21. Jay Idzes (D)
• 80. Tarik Muharemović (D)
• 3. Josh Doig (D)
• 35. Luca Lipani (M)
• 18. Nemanja Matić (M)
• 40. Aster Vranckx (M)
• 20. Alieu Fadera (F)
• 99. Andrea Pinamonti (F)
• 45. Armand Laurienté (F)

Substitutes:

• 12. Giacomo Satalino
• 16. Gioele Zacchi
• 13. Stefano Turati
• 25. Woyo Coulibaly
• 19. Filippo Romagna
• 17. Yeferson Paz
• 26. Cas Odenthal
• 44. Edoardo Iannoni
• 33. Christian Franella
• 24. Luca Moro
• 77. Nicholas Pierini
• 9. Walid Cheddra
• 14. Laurens Skjellerup