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Napoli invite Palermo to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in the Coppa Italia second round on Thursday. The hosts booked their place in this round with a 4-3 win over Modena on penalties last month, while I Rosanero did so with a 1-0 win over Parma.
Napoli are unbeaten in four Serie A games, keeping three clean sheets. In their previous outing, the Partenopei were held to a goalless draw by Juventus, failing to score for the third time this season.
Palermo, meanwhile, are unbeaten in four Serie B games, winning two. They played a goalless home draw with Cesena in their previous league outing last week.
Napoli vs Palermo Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- The two teams have crossed paths 70 times across competitions, with Napoli leading 32-16.
- They have met 12 times in Coppa Italia thus far, with the Partenopei leading 6-4.
- They last met in the Coppa Italia in 2001, which Palermo won 3-0 at home.
- Napoli are unbeaten at home against Palermo this century, winning seven of 12 games.
- Palermo have lost five of their last six away games in the Coppa Italia, with their only win coming in the first round in August this season.
- Napoli have won one of their last five home games in Coppa Italia, with that win coming on penalties earlier this season.
Napoli vs Palermo Prediction
Napoli are unbeaten in four home outings, keeping three clean sheets, and are on a 12-game unbeaten streak at home against Palermo.
Manager Antonio Conte is likely to make a few changes from the Juventus draw. They play Monza in Serie A on Sunday, so Romelu Lukaku and Scott McTominay could be rested. Alex Meret picked up a muscle injury against Juve and will return after the October international break.
Palermo, meanwhile, have won their last two away games across competitions. They are winless in four meetings against Napoli, though, failing to score in three.
Fabio Lucioni is back after a lengthy injury spell and could start from the bench. Alexis Blin underwent surgery earlier this week and isn't an option. Valerio Verre is also unavailable, while Claudio Gomes, Kristoffer Lund and Federico Di Francesco are doubts.
Considering Napoli's home advantage, expect them to eke out a narrow win.
Prediction: Napoli 2-1 Palermo
Napoli vs Palermo Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Napoli to win
Tip 2: Goals - Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Over 2.5 goals
Tip 3: At least one goal to be scored in the second half - Yes
Tip 4: David Neres to score or assist any time - Yes
