Napoli - Cagliari 23-05-2025

Analysis of the teams

It's time for a party in Naples this lush Friday evening as the sky blues are nursing a one-point lead over Inter and top of the table. The home team has everything in their own hands before the final league game of the season. Cagliari have already secured their place, so there is no doubt that Napoli will take the lead in this match - they have everything to play for: league gold.

Naples – Gold in sight

It was a sluggish Napoli team that had to settle for 10th place in the league last season – not only unexpected, but also far below expectations, especially after the triumph the year before. Now, with one game left on the schedule, it is once again the sky blues from Napoli who are leading the way.

The margin could have been bigger, but a one-point lead over Inter could be enough. Conte's men have their fate in their own hands - three points on Friday night is all that is needed.

However, it is easier said than done, especially with the slump in form that has occurred on this sunny May day. 2–2 at home against Genoa, in a match where victory eluded them in the final minutes, and a goalless, and otherwise rather boring affair away against Parma last time out – two draws that have made the end of the season far more dramatic than necessary.

After a long season, there are many positives to take away – such as the 79 points collected, 18 clean sheets (most in the league), and a Scotsman who you occasionally have to remind yourself is actually a central midfielder.

Napoli have been incredibly solid this season, and Antonio Conte can be credited with the tactical changes he has introduced. He is the mastermind behind the new system the club has built on.

At first glance, Napoli appear to play a classic 4-3-3 with three box-to-box midfielders and attacking wingers. In practice, we see something completely different: the full-backs push high and act as wingers, forcing the wingers into the pitch to occupy the space. This provides good support for Lukaku, who is adept at holding onto the ball in pressure situations – often with his back to goal.

One midfielder drops down and acts as a third centre-back, while another – usually McTominay – is moved higher up the pitch, almost like a false nine around Lukaku. This has resulted in 15 goal involvements for the Scot this season.

When the team doesn't have the ball, they usually line up in a five-man back line, compressing the team and forcing the play out to the edges to make it easier to defend their own box – which has resulted in the 18 clean sheets.

Napoli have scored a lot, conceded little and been good throughout the season. This could result in triumph – if the job is done on Friday night. It will be extremely exciting to follow the run-up.

Cagliari – the uninvited guest at the gold party 

It's not long since I last looked at this Cagliari team and their form. There haven't been any major changes since then, as we approach the end of the season. With a 14th place in the table and guaranteed Serie A play next season, I think Davide Nicola and the rest of Cagliari are very happy.

It has been a tiring season, but Cagliari have been good at winning the regular matches against teams around and below them in the table. Most recently in the last league match there was a comfortable 3–0 win at home against relegation-threatened Venezia, where both wing-backs Zortea and Augello really showed their worth with one assist each.

But the opponent on the other half of the field on Friday night is of a completely different caliber than Venice.

With eight goals in their last five games, Cagliari have shown attacking quality, despite three defeats in the same games. There has still been some instability in what would have been a more stable back five. But with their place secured and little else to play for, the question is whether their motivation matches that of the home team.

It will be exciting to see if Cagliari can put a stop to the Napoli freight train – and really lift the drama to new heights.

Will it be joy or disappointment for the home team?

It's the end of the season, and it's tight at both the top and bottom of the table. The league title is at stake, and Napoli are naturally big favorites in this match. With the framework set, there's bound to be a good atmosphere at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, where Cagliari will do everything in their power to spoil the party.

Game tips:

Italy, Friday at 20:45: Napoli – Cagliari: Over 1.5 cards to Napoli (2.07)

Alternative games:

Roberto Piccoli over 0.5 shots on goal (1.94)

Over 2.5 goals to Napoli (1.84)