Napoli approach the midweek clash with Hellas Verona under pressure to keep pace in the Serie A title race, yet confidence remains high after four straight 2-0 wins in all competitions. Antonio Conte’s
side sit third after 17 matches, two points behind Inter and one behind AC Milan.
Despite heavy workload and injuries, Napoli have treated every game as part of a wider Scudetto defence. The champions won the Supercoppa Italiana before Christmas, then resumed league duties with victory over Lazio. That result came before a demanding run of seven matches to be played before the end of January.
Leonardo Spinazzola, who scored the opener against Lazio before Amir Rrahmani added the second, underlined the mentality within the squad. Spinazzola said: "The season is still very long, and we know there will be difficulties, especially this month with a calendar that is frightening," and stressed that the group accepts that challenge.
Spinazzola made clear that Napoli are not considering failure in the title defence. "We don't think we can go to the end and losewe have to fight until the end. If anyone beats us, they are better than us, but we must fight until the endthis is what the coach has always transmitted to us. "
Conte has dealt with a long injury list, with Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Billy Gilmour among those sidelined. Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa is also absent on international duty with Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations. Even so, the coach’s demanding approach continues to shape a resilient squad response.
Spinazzola highlighted Conte’s message about responsibility as Serie A champions. "We have the Scudetto on our chest, and we must honour it until the very end. " That attitude will be vital during a tough January, which includes a major showdown against Inter on Sunday, in addition to the immediate test against Hellas Verona.
Napoli vs Hellas Verona match context and historical record
Before facing Inter, Napoli host Verona at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Wednesday. Paolo Zanetti’s Verona are 19th in Serie A, three points from safety, and need results urgently. However, Verona meet a Napoli team that has won five of the last seven league encounters, with one draw and one defeat.
Across all 64 Serie A meetings, Verona have recorded 14 victories, with 15 draws and 35 losses. Verona only have more league wins against Fiorentina, with 17, and Cagliari, with 15, while they also share 14 wins against Udinese. Recent form against reigning champions is poor, with eight straight losses and a 21-5 goal difference against them.
Napoli vs Hellas Verona key players and attacking numbers
Matteo Politano is a major attacking outlet for Napoli ahead of the Verona contest. Politano has 98 Serie A goal contributions, scoring 53 goals and supplying 45 assists. After providing two assists against Lazio, Politano is close to joining an elite group of Italian players with triple-figure involvements in the competition.
If Politano reaches 100 involvements, the winger will become the seventh Italian to do so since 2015-16. That list currently includes Ciro Immobile, Domenico Berardi, Lorenzo Insigne, Andrea Belotti, Fabio Quagliarella and Antonio Candreva. Politano’s creativity and finishing remain central to Napoli’s attacking plans in this phase of the season.
For Verona, Giovane offers energy and threat despite the team’s difficult position. Born on November 24, 2003, Giovane is the youngest player to start every league match for a Serie A side this season. Giovane has taken 38 shots and created 24 chances, giving 60 attempts at goal involvement so far.
Napoli vs Hellas Verona prediction and Opta probabilities
Verona face a Napoli team that has won four consecutive matches across all competitions, every one by a 2-0 scoreline. Napoli last put together five straight wins in January 2025, when they managed seven in a row, and last produced five successive clean sheets in February 2023 under Luciano Spalletti.
Recent performance trends and historical numbers highlight Napoli as strong favourites for this fixture. Opta’s model leans clearly towards the reigning champions retaining momentum on Thursday, while still recognising a small chance of a surprise Verona result or a draw at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
| Outcome | Opta Win Probability |
|---|---|
| Napoli | 67.6% |
| Hellas Verona | 13.4% |
| Draw | 19% |
With Napoli chasing Inter and AC Milan, every point carries weight in the title picture. The Verona match offers a chance to extend the winning run, maintain defensive stability and stay close to the summit, while also testing squad depth during a demanding January schedule shaped by injuries and international absences.
