Serie A Matchday 14 Preview: Napoli Vs Juventus Headline As Inter Milan Takes On High-Flying Como

‎Matchday 14 of the 2025 Serie A campaign arrives with blockbuster fixtures, important matches at both ends of the table, and several heavyweight clubs aiming to steady their ambitions before the winter break.

‎Below is an in-depth look at all major fixtures on a fascinating Italian weekend.

‎Napoli vs Juventus: 

‎Italian giants Napoli and Juventus meet at Stadio Maradona in the headline fixture of the round, with both sides rediscovering form and guided by managers whose histories intertwine intriguingly with the opposition.

‎Napoli’s resurgence has been swift and impressive. A tactical change, forced partly by injuries, has sparked renewed confidence, resulting in four consecutive victories across league and cup competitions.

‎Their recent success includes triumphs over Atalanta and Qarabag, as well as a gritty Derby del Sole victory over Roma inspired by a brilliant David Neres strike. That momentum carried into the Coppa Italia, where they advanced past Cagliari in a dramatic penalty shootout capped by Vanja Milinkovic-Savic’s heroics in both goal and spot-kicks.

‎At home, the Partenopei have become a fortress: they have not lost a league match at the Maradona in a full calendar year. Should they avoid defeat again on Sunday, they will complete their first unbeaten year at home since the late Maradona era of 1987.

‎Antonio Conte, returning to face his boyhood club Juventus, has added further intrigue.

‎His reunion with former Italy colleague Luciano Spalletti will be their first-ever managerial meeting. Napoli have dominated this fixture recently, winning the last six meetings in Naples, and Conte wants that streak to continue.

‎Juventus, meanwhile, has been quietly stabilizing under Spalletti. Unbeaten since his arrival, with four wins and three draws across all competitions, the Bianconeri have exhibited defensive steel and growing cohesion.

‎Their midweek Coppa Italia win over Udinese extended a promising run that also includes victories against Bodo/Glimt and Cagliari.

‎Team news:

‎However, injuries have heavily shaped both camps. Napoli remain without Lobotka, De Bruyne, Anguissa, Gilmour, Lukaku, Meret, and Miguel Gutierrez.

‎Juventus are missing Vlahovic long-term and several defenders, including Gatti, Bremer, and Rugani. The tactical balance could hinge on the likes of Kenan Yildiz, who has been outstanding at home, and Neres, who continues to impress for Napoli.

‎Prediction: Napoli 1–0 Juventus

‎A tight, hard-fought contest likely favors Napoli, who raise their level in big games and remain formidable at home despite injury concerns.

‎Cagliari vs Roma: 

‎Roma travel to Sardinia seeking an immediate response after losing top spot and suffering defeat to champions Napoli.

‎Gasperini’s side had enjoyed their first spell as outright league leaders in over a decade, but their momentum stalled at the Stadio Olimpico last week.

‎Even so, Roma remain significantly improved from last season, collecting 14 more points than at this stage in the previous campaign.

‎A win over Cagliari would also give them their best 14-game start in eight years. With a daunting schedule ahead, nine matches in 35 days across Europe and domestic competitions this fixture becomes essential to building rhythm and preserving confidence.

‎Cagliari, on the other hand, is stuck in deep trouble. Winless since September and knocked out of the Coppa Italia in midweek, Pisacane’s men have managed only four points from their last nine games.

‎Team news:

‎Defensive errors, late collapses, and injuries, such as the serious knee issue suffered by Mattia Felici, continue to stretch their already limited squad.

‎History offers little comfort for the Sardinians: they have beaten Roma only once in 20 league meetings since 2014.

‎Roma’s biggest issue remains availability. Dybala is recovering from illness, while options behind him are thin. Gasperini may turn to Evan Ferguson or a false nine if the Argentine is not ready to start.

‎Prediction: Cagliari 0–1 Roma

‎Roma’s defensive solidity, conceding just seven league goals, should be enough to edge a struggling Cagliari side despite attacking limitations.

‎Lazio vs Bologna: 

‎Lazio and Bologna meet in Rome with both clubs experiencing contrasting but compelling trajectories.

‎Lazio were excellent in their midweek Coppa Italia victory over AC Milan, responding immediately after their Serie A loss at San Siro. Mattia Zaccagni’s decisive header carried them into the quarter-finals and restored belief within the camp.

‎Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio remain formidable at home, having taken 13 of their 18 points at the Olimpico, including three straight league clean sheets.

‎Their defensive transformation has been remarkable they have kept eight shut-outs across competitions and are grinding their way back into the European picture.

‎Bologna, meanwhile, has emerged as one of the season’s surprise packages. Before their midweek Coppa Italia win over Parma, they had gone 12 matches unbeaten.

‎A rare slip against Cremonese cost them a chance to move into the top three, but their overall form under Vincenzo Italiano has been outstanding, especially away from home, where they are unbeaten in five matches while scoring freely.

‎The match also carries emotional weight, as Bologna’s veteran striker Ciro Immobile returns to the Olimpico, likely from the bench.

‎Prediction: Lazio 0–0 Bologna

‎Lazio’s defensive organization meets Bologna’s attacking fluidity, setting up a tight and cautious contest where both sides may happily take a point.

‎Inter Milan vs Como: 

‎Inter and Como meet at San Siro in one of the most intriguing stories of the season: a traditional powerhouse versus a rapidly rising club redefining expectations.

‎Inter returned to winning ways last weekend and followed it up with an emphatic 5–1 demolition of Venezia in the Coppa Italia.

‎Young talents like Andy Diouf impressed, and the victory showed the squad depth available to Cristian Chivu as Inter navigates a hectic period that includes Champions League and Supercoppa duties.

‎The Nerazzurri are part of a four-team cluster at the top of the table, separated by only one point. They also boast an imposing record against Como, having won 13 straight home league games against their Lombardy neighbors.

‎Como, however, has no intention of adhering to old hierarchies.

‎Cesc Fabregas’ side has been one of Serie A’s revelations, sitting just three points behind Inter after a sensational start. They are undefeated since August and play bold, possession-heavy football mirroring Inter’s own style.

‎Nico Paz in particular has emerged as one of the league’s brightest stars, with five goals and five assists already this season.

‎Prediction: Inter Milan 2–1 Como

‎Como’s progress is real, but Inter’s experience, firepower, and depth should give them just enough edge in a competitive derby.

‎Hellas Verona vs Atalanta: 

‎Hellas Verona are still searching desperately for their first win of the season as they welcome Atalanta a team regaining form under Raffaele Palladino.

‎Verona’s situation is now perilous: only six points after 13 games and a worrying inability to score or defend consistently.

‎The Bentegodi has offered little comfort, with Verona managing only three home points all season. Their historical record against Atalanta is equally grim, losing the last five home meetings by a combined score of 11–1.

‎Atalanta, in contrast, has hit their stride. Their recent victories over Fiorentina, Eintracht Frankfurt, and Genoa (4–0 in the Coppa Italia) signal renewed confidence and tactical clarity. Ademola Lookman, Charles De Ketelaere, and captain Marten de Roon have been influential in their resurgence.

‎Prediction: Hellas Verona 1–2 Atalanta

‎Verona’s long wait for a win looks likely to continue, with Atalanta carrying too much attacking threat and momentum.