Hellas Verona vs Napoli
Fresh from missing out on a Serie A title last season, Napoli will get back to it with Hellas Verona first on the menu for their 2022-23 campaign.
Despite finishing third behind AC and Inter Milan, though, Napoli secured their return to the Champions League and they would like to do it again this year.
They’re met with higher expectations following their successful campaign. However, Napoli might disappoint their supporters this season because they’ve lost key players during the summer transfer window.
So, it is tough to be a Napoli fan nowadays, but the pre-season SBOTOP betting odds offer some optimism since they’re likely to finish again at third or fourth in the standings.
On the other hand, Hellas Verona are looking to build from their top half finish, but they’ll be facing big question marks with their new head coach.
Talking Points
Hellas Verona in a state of flux
I Gialloblu certainly have their work cut out to repeat or outdo their ninth place finish last term.
The Bentegodi outfit was one of the best attacking sides in the league last season with 65 goals as they were led by the trio of Antonin Barak, Gianluca Caprari, and Giovanni Simeone.
However, Caprari has already left for Monza this summer while Simeone is now with Napoli, so Barak will have to shoulder the heavy load of being the team’s main source of goals.
Another key player poised for a larger role is Ivan Ilic, who has shown improvement since moving over to Italy in 2020 after an underwhelming stint with Manchester City.
Hellas Verona have often found ways to get production from unknown sources. But whether their new manager Gabriele Cioffi is up for the challenge remains to be seen.
How will Napoli’s new additions fare?
It’s been a busy transfer window for Napoli as they tried their best to recoup after losing Kalidou Koulibaly, Lorenzo Insigne, Dries Mertens, and Fabian Ruiz –who is inching closer to a move to PSG.
The Naples outfit bolstered their backline by adding veteran shot stoppers Salvatore Sirigu and Keylor Navas to compete with Alex Meret, while Kim Min-Jae is their prized centre-back acquisition. Meanwhile, Tanguy Ndombele and Giovanni Simeone are brought in via loans while Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was only bought for €10-M from Dinamo Batumi.
These new signings will have to settle quickly to boost the team’s chances. But in the end, the one player that has to step up big is Victor Osimhen – who is one of the best young strikers in Europe today.
The Nigerian has been handed the captain’s armband and he’ll aim to build on his 18-goal season last term. Now with Mertens and Insigne gone, Osimhen is going to be their focal point of attack and he’ll partner with Hirving Lozano and Piotr Zielinski up front.
Napoli are more than capable of producing Serie A 2022 highlights this season given their current core. However, they still need to strengthen if they are to contend for trophies.
History
Napoli have won the first match in each of their last five Serie A seasons, which is the longest current streak in the league. The last time that they had such a run was a stretch between 1985 and 1989.
If they win on Monday, Napoli’s opening day streak will be extended to six, which is going to be the highest in club history.
The hosts have won 13 league matches against Napoli, which is the second-most in team history. Only against Cagliari and Fiorentina (14) have they won more in the top-flight.
Should Hellas Verona lose to Napoli, they would have lost consecutive opening matches for the first time since a run of four between 1989 and 1999.
In terms of recent form, I Partenopei are unbeaten in all six of their pre-season matches. In contrast, I Gialloblu are stinging from their humiliating loss against Serie B side Bari during the first round of the Coppa Italia.
Betting Tip
Napoli are tipped to win by the Serie A 2022 odds on Monday. They’re priced at 2.13, while Hellas Verona are installed 3.30 and chances for a draw are at 3.35 in the 1X2 market.
Just like in their recent encounters, Hellas Verona should give Napoli a hard time. But in the end, we envision the visitors getting all three points to kickstart their campaign. Total Goal 2-3 @ 1.96 appears to be the best alternative bet since there have been no clean sheets between these two sides in these past two seasons.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT))
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
