The battle for a Champions League place should add extra spice to today’s meeting of old rivals Roma and Napoli, yet the build-up to the game suggests it could be played in a lukewarm atmosphere.
Both teams have suffered a recent slip in form and this, combined with a lunchtime kick-off and the fears of fan violence surrounding the fixture, is expected to leave the Stadio Olimpico half empty. Local media said that only 5,000 tickets have been sold so far and predicted a crowd of around 40,000.
Roma’s grip on second place has been slowly loosened since the start of the year, and their nine-point cushion over third place has been slashed to one point, while they have dropped 14 points behind runaway leaders Juventus.
Meanwhile, Napoli have dropped from third to fifth after failing to win any of their last four Serie A games.
Only the top two in Serie A qualify directly for the Champions League group stage while third place earns a place in the final qualifying round.
Roma have drawn eight of their last 11 league games and even the international break added to the troubles as forward Gervinho suffered a thigh injury in Ivory Coast’s friendly against Equatorial Guinea on Sunday.
The hosts may also be without talismanic forward Francesco Totti who is still recovering from a thigh injury.
There is still tension around the fixture after Napoli’s visit to Rome for last season’s Coppa Italia final.
Although Napoli were facing Fiorentina, there were violent clashes between Napoli and Roma fans, during which Napoli fan Ciro Esposito was shot and died in hospital one month later. Tickets will not be sold to residents of Naples, although Napoli fans who live elsewhere in Italy can buy them.
Seven points separate Roma (53) in second from Fiorentina (46) in sixth in the race for Champions League places, with Lazio (52), Sampdoria (48) and Napoli (47) sandwiched between.
In another key match in today’s full programme, Sampdoria coach Sinisa Mihajlovic returns to his former club as his side visit Fiorentina.
Fiorentina have found a new lease of life since signing Egypt forward Mohamed Salah from Chelsea in part exchange for Juan Cuadrado.
Lazio, who have leapt into third place with a run of six straight wins, visit relegation candidates Cagliari in a match they would expect to win.
“Having Roma in front of us certainly gives us extra motivation,” said captain Stefano Mauri.
“For us, finishing second would be like winning the scudetto.”
Juventus, meanwhile, should chalk up another win, and move closer to a fourth successive title, when they host Empoli tonight.
Fixtures
Serie A
Playing Today – 15.00
Atalanta vs Torino
Cagliari vs Lazio
Fiorentina vs Sampdoria 18.30
Genoa vs Udinese
Inter vs Parma
Juventus vs Empoli 21.00
Roma vs Napoli 12.30
Palermo vs Milan
Sassuolo vs Chievo
Verona vs Cesena
Standings: Juventus 67; Roma 53; Lazio 52; Sampdoria 48; Napoli 47; Fiorentina 46; Torino 39; Milan 38; Inter, Genoa 37; Palermo 35; Udinese, Empoli 33; Sassuolo, Chievo, Verona 32; Atalanta 26; Cagliari, Cesena 21; Parma 9.
Serie B
Played Thursday
Avellino vs Modena 1-0
Carpi vs Bologna 3-0
Crotone vs Spezia 2-0
Entella vs Perugia 0-2
Latina vs Cittadella 3-2
Livorno vs Lanciano 1-0
Pescara vs Brescia 2-3
Pro Vercelli vs Vicenza 1-1
Ternana vs Bari 2-0
Trapani vs Frosinone 3-1
Varese vs Catania 0-3
Standings: Carpi 68; Bologna 56; Vicenza 53; Avellino 52; Frosinone 51; Livorno, Spezia, Perugia 50; Pescara 48; Lanciano 46; Bari 44; Trapani 42; Latina, Ternana, Entella 40; Modena, Cittadella, Crotone, Pro Vercelli 39; Catania 38; Brescia 31; Varese 28.