Bologna vs. Naples: Preview and betting tips

Napoli face a crucial match in the title fight on Monday, travelling to Bologna. They must do without mainstay Kalidou Koulibaly, who is with Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations. Can the favourite do without him?

Bologna are struggling, having lost four of their last five games and dropping to 12th in the table. Yet they can rest easy for now, eleven points clear of the relegation places. It can also look up, as it is only five points behind sixth-placed AS Roma.

Napoli are doing better than expected. Despite their poor pre-Christmas form, they are third in the table, having led the whole Serie A back in October. They are six points behind Inter Milan, so their title chances are still alive.

Marko Arnautovic leads the home side’s attack, the Austrian international has six goals and one assist. Winger Musa Barrow boasts a 5+4 record, but is now with Gambia at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The visitors will again be without Victor Osimhen, the Nigerian playmaker has made five goals and two assists this season. Lorenzo Insigne is twirling his last season in the blue and white jersey, he has been on nine league goals (4+5) so far.

Who knows where Bologna would be without Arnautovic, after all, with twenty-eight shots, they have the worst offensive record of any club in the top fifteen of Serie A.

Moreover, they will hardly improve their record against Napoli, the blue and white have the best defensive record in the league, they have scored only fifteen goals so far, one goal less than the first Inter.

Given the excellent defensive performance of the visitors, I think that even without Kalidou Koulibaly, who is on AFCON, Naples will win the game.