Cremonese vs Napoli: Neres to steal the show on Lukaku’s return to action

Cremonese welcome champions Napoli to Stadio Giovanni Zini this Sunday, December 28 (14:00 GMT, DAZN). I Violini are coming off a goalless draw with Lazio, in an ill-tempered game where eight cards were shown including a red for Federico Ceccherini.

Napoli come in fresh off their Supercoppa Italiana success, but lost their last Serie A outing 1-0 to Udinese. In the game before, they were beaten 2-0 at Benfica in the Champions League. Can Cremonese take advantage of a busy Napoli side who have been out of sorts at times? Read on for my Cremonese vs Napoli predictions, with ballast from the latest team news and match odds.

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Team News

Napoli will be bolstered by the return of Romelu Lukaku. He was an unused substitute in the Supercoppa matches, but now one of Antonio Conte’s trusted lieutenants is expected to feature. The ex-Chelsea marksman had been on the shelf for months with a serious thigh injury.

With Lukaku expected to come off the bench, it falls to Rasmus Hojlund to lead the line. The on-loan Manchester United striker has baffled as often as he has shined in the famous blue shirt. But seven goals in 19 outings across all competitions is a better average than he managed at either United or previous club Atalanta.

Alex Meret, Kevin De Bruyne, Frank Anguissa and Billy Gilmour comprise the long-term wounded in Naples. Sam Beukema and Mathias Olivera are doubts after picking up knocks in Supercoppa action.

Football Odds

Ceccherini is suspended after his injury-time red card in the Lazio stalemate. Martin Payero has served his suspension and returns to the side while Matteo Bianchetti is expected back after a muscle complaint. Don’t expect to see Michele Collocolo. His hamstring injury is expected to sideline him until the New Year.

A familiar face to Premier League viewers is Jamie Vardy. The ageless ex-Leicester City striker has four goals in 12 games at his new club. Vardy’s exertions saw him become the first English winner of Serie A Player of the Month. The 38-year-old claimed the gong in November.

Cremonese vs Napoli Odds

The home side are 11/2 to triumph against their esteemed visitors. Napoli are priced at 4/7 for a win while the draw is marketed at 11/4. 

Betfred are offering a Price Boost on Lukaku to score anytime, moving up from 23/20 to 11/8.

Today's Football Fixtures

David Neres anytime goalscorer @ 2/1

As tempted as I was by the novelty of Vardy or the comeback story of Lukaku, sometimes you just have to go with form. Brazil forward Neres was an instrumental factor in his side’s recent Supercoppa Italia success.

Neres bagged a goal in the semi final victory over AC Milan, before scoring both in a 2-0 win over Bologna in the final. Vital strikes in silverware success can light a fire under a player. With Lukaku working his way back to fitness and Hojlund consistently inconsistent, I’m backing the former Ajax man to score again and strengthen his claim.

Napoli to win both halves @ 11/4

Getting started early is a feature of Napoli’s victories in recent weeks. They went in ahead in both Supercoppa games. Hojlund’s seventh-minute opener against Juventus gave Napoli a half-time lead. 

Even the frustrating 1-1 draw with Cagliari in the Coppa Italia, where Conte’s men won 9-8 on penalties, saw Napoli go in a goal to the good at half time. I feel the Supercoppa-buoyed side in blue will make early headway and make it count in Cremona.