Serie A weekend preview: unbeaten Roma visit Napoli, Inter defend top spot without Lautaro, Juventus under pressure
Roma have the best defence in Italy and arrive in Naples unbeaten. Inter and Lazio share the lead on 19 points, and Juventus need a response after a 3-0 home defeat by Lazio. Everything you need to know about Serie A matchday 8.
Serie A's eighth round has a heavyweight game in Naples, a leader at home and a giant under pressure. Here is what to watch.
The table at the top
| Team | Points | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Inter | 19 | 6W 1D 0L, 21 goals, the most in the league |
| Lazio | 19 | Beat Juventus 3-0 in Turin last weekend |
| Roma | 17 | Unbeaten (5W 2D), goal difference 16-3 |
| Juventus | 11 | 8th |
| Napoli | 10 | 9th |
Napoli v Roma (Saturday)
This is the game of the weekend. Roma are unbeaten, have conceded only three goals in seven games — the best defensive record in the league — and have not let in a goal in their three away matches. Donyell Malen has six league goals.
Napoli are ninth after losing 1-0 at Venezia last weekend. They have created plenty of chances but have only 10 goals to show for them, and Kevin De Bruyne leads their scoring with three. They have won two of their three home games.
Team news
- Roma out: Svilar, Koné, Dybala. Cristante and Pellegrini are doubts.
- Napoli out: Neres, Buongiorno, Alisson Santos, Favasuli.
Without their first-choice goalkeeper and Dybala, Roma's defensive record will be tested by a Napoli side that badly needs a win to stay in touch with the top four.
Inter v Fiorentina (Sunday)
Cristian Chivu's Inter are top and have won all four home league games, scoring 15. They will be without Lautaro Martínez, who has a hamstring injury and is out until after the November international break, as well as Benjamin Pavard, John Stones and Curtis Jones. Marcus Thuram (four goals, two assists) and Hakan Çalhanoğlu (three goals) carry the threat.
Fiorentina are 18th with four points and one win, and have conceded 17 goals. They lost 3-1 to Como last weekend. Franco Mastantuono, with three goals, is their main hope.
Lecce v Juventus (Sunday)
Juventus lost 3-0 at home to Lazio last weekend and are eighth on 11 points, eight behind the leaders. The defence has been solid by the numbers, but they have scored only nine goals. The injury list is long: Kenan Yıldız, Francisco Conceição, Manuel Locatelli and Khéphren Thuram are out, and goalkeeper Kamil Grabara is out for the season. Lecce won 3-0 at Udinese in their last game.
Coming next week
Next weekend is even bigger: the Milan derby is on Saturday 31 October, and Juventus v Napoli follows on Sunday 1 November. Results this weekend will set the scene for both.
Follow every result on our scores page and see the full Serie A table and top scorers.
FAQ
Who is top of Serie A? Inter and Lazio are level on 19 points after seven games; Roma are third with 17.
Is Lautaro Martínez injured? Yes. He has a hamstring injury and is expected to be out until after the November international break.
Are Roma unbeaten in Serie A? Yes: five wins and two draws, with only three goals conceded.
