Roma forward Francesco Totti. (Photo : Getty Images)
A high-profile meeting between two of the top teams in the 2015-2016 Serie A season, AS Roma (19-4-11, 68 points) and SSC Napoli (22-5-7, 73 points), is scheduled at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Monday, April 25th as the Italian top flight competitions comes down to its final few matchdays.
The two teams are currently in the top three of the Serie A league table, with Roma occupying the third spot with the final Champions League qualifying berth, four points ahead of fourth-running team Inter Milan, while Napoli settling at the second spot, five points above Roma but an overwhelming twelve points behind defending champions and current league leaders Juventus FC.
Both clubs are assured of Europa League spots and could land their own Champions League berths if they remain in the top three at season's end.
Roma is coming off a tough 3-2 decision over a hard-fighting Torino eleven also at their home stadium of Stadio Olimpico last Wednesday to get back to their winning ways after a two-game winless spell, as per ESPN.
Torino forward Andrea Belotti drew first blood in the match with a penalty kick at the 35th minute before Roma defender Kostas Manolas was able to level the count at the 65th with a header from center box.
The score stayed deadlocked for most of the match until Il Toro grabbed the lead again with only 10 minutes left before full time via a left-footed shot from forward Josef Martinez. However, veteran striker Francesco Totti, I Giallorossi's team captain, scored a brace late at the 86th and 89th minutes to lift La Maggica to the come-from-behind win.
Meanwhile, Napoli won for the second time in three outings without resident scorer Gonzalo Higuaín.
Gli Azzurri pulled off a 6-0 demolition of lowly club Bologna FC at their home field of San Paolo Stadium last Tuesday, via BBC Sport.
German winger Dries Mertens scored a hat trick at the 58th, 80th, and 88th, Higuaín substitute Manolo Gabbiadini netted a brace at the 10th and 35th, and midfielder David Lopez sealed everything up at the 89th to help Maurizio Sarri's side achieve their six-goal haul.
The predicted result is a tough 2-1 decision for Roma.
Roma starting lineup (4-3-3 formation): Szczesny; Maicon, Manolas, Rudiger, Emerson; Florenzi, Keita, Nainggolan; Salah, Perotti, El Shaarawy
Napoli starting lineup (4-3-3 formation): Reina; Soderlund, Albiol, Koulibaly, Ghoulam; Allan, Jorginho, Hamsik; Callejon, Gabbiadini, Insigne
