Serie A title race: Will Napoli be able to capitalize if Juventus slip-up against Inter Milan?

Both teams are separated by just a point at the top of the table with four games to go.

Juventus have been the undisputed kings of Italy since 2011-12 and have consecutively won the crown six times. The Old Lady were well on their way to a record seventh in a row but Napoli seem to have the ultimate chance of creating a major upset and moving up the table if Juventus falter against Inter Milan in the wee hours of Sunday morning.

Juventus have been on a low having lost three of their previous four games and conceding the match to Napoli was just another dent in their title ambitions. So, what happens against a resurgent Inter, is what may potentially decide the title.

Napoli, on the other hand, are on a hot streak and as previously mentioned, took down mighty Juve in Turin. A feat which is not only difficult to pull off but also shows that the Old Lady is showing signs of weakness.

In the last six years, various clubs have tried to end the dominance of the 33-times title winners and the current defending champions have outwitted all of them with relative ease. The team from Naples though looks a tough nut to crack.

Napoli have made consistency their key focus and have kept the ship steady despite weathering several storms. The Gli Azzurri have mustered 26 wins to Juventus’ 27 and have lost two games as compared to the Old Lady’s three. The draws are where the Old Lady has the upper hand with four as opposed to Napoli's six.

 

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But, with only a point dividing the top two teams in Serie A, even a draw against Inter Milan would mean that Juve keep their head above the waters. Napoli will then have to overtake the current league leaders. They will also look to improve their goal difference as both teams are level on the head-to-head having defeated each other 0-1 away from home.

The challenge they both have left to face are a lot different, Juve are set to face Inter first, but what makes the situation worse for them is that they are in the Coppa Italia final and will be facing AC Milan on 10th May. Just 72 hours from the cup final, they will be visiting AS Roma in the league, who are in the form of their life on the European front. So, even if they bypass Inter's stern challenge, they may stumble to the Roman club and give it all to Napoli.

On the other hand, Napoli look likely to earn those 12 points on offer from their remaining fixtures as their opponents are rather easy, at least on paper, when compared to Juve's. These include Fiorentina, Torino, Sampdoria and Crotone with none of them being in the top six in Serie A. Most importantly, they have their complete focus on the title, unlike Juve who have a domestic double on their to-do list.

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Another bone of contention that divides these two teams is goal difference. Juve have managed to keep a +58 goal difference by scoring 78 goals and conceding just 20. This feat was not matched by Napoli, who have been able to muster only a +48 record with 71 goals scored scored and 23 conceded, leaving a gap of between them.

One of the most exciting leagues in the world might have an I-League styled finish after all as with only four games left, noboody can predict the champions of Italy as of now. But, tomorrow’s game might shine some light on where the Scudetto will end up.