Ahead of today’s game between Napoli and Cagliari, the attention will logically be on Victor Osimhen. The Nigerian striker is Serie A’s best striker in the 2022/23 season, who had injuries and a goalscoring crisis since the beginning of September. Only 15 goals so far in seven games in all competition, out of which six in Serie A. He missed four games in the league due to injury, and his last goal was recorded in October in a home loss to Fiorentina. The Nigerian scored recently in the Champions League against Sporting Braga, and in the previous three clashes with Cagliari in which he participated, he always found the back of the net.Osimhen on the brink of a new contract with NapoliNapoli have lost just once in their last 24 meetings with Cagliari. The only defeat happened four years ago in Naples (Lucas Castro’s goal for 0:1). However, the last two of the three matches played in Serie A ended without a winner. It is a curiosity that Napoli and Cagliari tied for two draws 13 years ago when Walter Mazzarri was sitting on the Azzurro bench. Napoli has a disastrous performance at “Maradona” in Serie A. Only seven points in seven games. Moreover, the champion of Italy won only one point, a draw and three defeats in the last four matches at his stadium. Practically since the end of September, the victory over Udinese, the Neapolitans have not felt the sweetness of a championship victory at home.Everyone loves Victor Osimhen. 💫🫶 pic.twitter.com/RcNMY4OVdM— Scales Boy (@BoyScales) December 16, 2023 Cagliari has a very poor performance in away games. So far in the championship, they have avoided defeat only twice on the Apennine peninsula, against Sassuolo and Torino, with five defeats. Sardis are specialists in thrilling match endings. Along with Mourinho’s Roma, Ranieri’s team scored the most goals in the last five minutes, as many as six, four of which were scored in stoppage time. Moreover, Cagliari won almost half of the points after the 90th minute of the game, six out of 13.##EDITORS_CHOICE##Coach Walter Mazzarri, in addition to the defensive line, which is still problematic due to the absence of left backs (Olivera and Mario Rui are injured), will also have to solve the problem in the middle of the pitch. Zielinski is not doing well with his health, Elmas is out of action due to an injury, Cajuste is injured, so Gaetano will most likely play in the midfield. Against Inter, Empoli and Juventus, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia had colossal chances to change the fate of Napoli in this championship, and he missed them all tonight. It is expected that the Georgian international will finally have his best game. Coach Mazzarri worked especially on the psychological level with Georgia in the previous days.Osimhen: ‘I thank all Africans who have helped me’Cagliari came out of the tunnel of injuries, which can be seen in the results: in the last six rounds, they won ten points, three points more than Napoli in the same period. Coach Claudio Ranieri will have a hard time deploying his attacking forces, considering the availability of Lapadula, Pavoletti and Petagna. Lapadula is the starter, Pavoletti is a specialist for goals at the end of matches, and Petagna has scored a goal against Napoli, his former club, with every club he played for.SERIE A – MATCHDAY 16Friday Genoa – Juventus 1-1 (0-1)/Gudmundsson 48 – Chiesa 28 pen/Saturday 17.00: (2.20) Lecce (3.45) Frosinone (3.60)20.00: (1.35) Napoli (5.50) Cagliari (10.0)22.45: (1.63) Torino (3.80) Empoli (5.70)Sunday14.30: (1.62) Milan (3.80) Monza (5.80)17.00: (1.48) Fiorentina (4.40) Verona (8.00)17.00: (2.35) Udinese (3.50) Sassuolo (3.15)20.00: (2.55) Bologna (3.20) Roma (3.15)22.45: (4.80) Lazio (3.60) Inter (1.85)Monday 22.45: (1.32) Atalanta (5.80) Salernitana (10.5)***odds are subject to change***
