Torino vs Napoli: Torino's enjoying the ride while both winning and losing to outsiders

Torino have been playing great of late, not losing to anyone at all and, in fact, finally reaching their fullest potential. Even a regular points tally, however, is not enough for the Bull to ensure relegation. It turns out that their rivals can also consistently produce results. In the upcoming fixture, they face Napoli, who are motivated and will of course come to the Olimpico for a win.

The potential of the Maroons is great. This was clear at the start of the league season when Torino had no trouble scoring three or four goals on some occasions. In general, the situation in which Torino find themselves in the relegation zone is purely psychological. Once again, Marco Giampaolo proved to be far from the best motivator. Thankfully, Urbano Cairo and his new management team did not take too long to replace him.

Davide Nicola is a different matter. Not only does the coach have considerable and successful relegation battle experience, but he played for Torino and has remained a loyal fan of the side since the end of his playing career. A flick was all the Bull needed. For the encounter with Napoli in particular, Torino came to the match with a streak of 4 matches without defeat (2 wins, 2 draws), while in the last 6 meetings the team has won three times and lost only once.

The Turin side, however, are still only three points adrift of the relegation zone. Cagliari, the only side capable of pushing the Maroons forward, have also woken up after the change of coach. Luckily for Torino, there are other relegation candidates in the table, Benevento and Spezia, who are good but catastrophically unstable. The former are three points behind 18th place, the latter five.

The Blues, like Torino, are also in limbo. However, Gennaro Gattuso’s side have a much better job of qualifying for the Champions League. Although, of course, the stakes are very high. A final position outside the top four would mean a failed season; inside the top four, it would be quite bearable. So far, Napoli are 5th, two points behind Juventus, who are still in the bottom four. It’s only just beginning, especially as the situation could be much worse.

The fact is that on Thursday, Napoli effectively shut out Lazio from the battle for the Champions League. Simone Inzaghi’s team, as usual, failed to cope with a tough schedule and were thrashed 2-5 in midweek. A striking success kept the Blues out of the top flight, but at least one rival was eliminated. There’s one more to go. Inter will take the gold, with four teams claiming positions 2 to 4, excluding Lazio.

Lorenzo Insigne scored a brace against Lazio, who now has 17 goals in the current championship. Only Muriel, Lukaku and Cristiano are ahead of him in the scoring race. Also, Dries Mertens scored against Lazio. It was the Belgian’s 102nd Serie A goal for Napoli and a repeat of the club record dating back to the 1930s.

The Neapolitans’ fine win over Lazio will almost become a flop if Gennaro Gattuso’s side loses points in Turin. And that is possible because neither Juventus nor Roma have beaten the Bull away in the last month. Napoli will certainly score, but whether they can defend their goal is the big question. All the more so considering that the Maroons have Andrea Belotti back in the fire, looking to make the most of his upcoming, and now very possible, move to a higher-profile club. The prediction is that Torino will score, and maybe not even lose. Napoli’s instability have been a stumbling block for the southern team all season.

• Both to score and TO 2.5 with odds around 2.00;
• Andrea Belotti will score at least 1 goal in about 2.50;
• Both to score and Torino will not lose with odds around 3.00.