While Napoli had one of the best home records in Serie A last season (taking 37 points at home), their away form was contrasting, and they gained the same number of points as bottom place Livorno (13pts) in a less than impressive 3-4-12 away record – Napoli still finished in a decent 8th place last season, though.

Napoli did draw 4-4 in Rome last season in October, but Roma did not start well at home, taking only 1 win from their first 4 games at the Stadio Olimpico; Roma’s form picked up dramatically at home though and they won 14 and drew 1 out of their 15 home games after the Napoli fixture.

Apart from the loss of Argentine Sosa (who is 33, and may be in the twilight of his career), Napoli haven’t lost or gained anyone of particular note over the summer period.

Match Betting Previews 29-31 August 2008 >>> UEFA Super Cup: - Man Utd v Zenit Premiership: Arsenal v Newcastle - Bolton v WBA - Everton v Portsmouth - Hull v Wigan - Middlesbrough v Stoke - West Ham v Blackburn - Aston Villa v Liverpool - Chelsea v Spurs - Sunderland v Man City La Liga: Deportivo v Real Madrid - Numancia v Barcelona - Valencia v Mallorca Serie A: Sampdoria v Inter - Fiorentina v Juventus - Roma v Napoli Bundesliga: Leverkusen v Hoffenheim - Bayern v Hertha Ligue 1: Marseille v Sochaux - St Etienne v Lyon Superliga: Benfica v FC Porto SPL: Celtic v Rangers

Napoli haven’t beaten Roma in their last 8 games against the capital side; the bookies have Roma as favourites at a best price of $1.64, and while this is a little higher than may be expected, it is still too low in terms of risk and reward.

Instead, consider focussing-in on the handicap draw; last 8 of Roma’s 15 home victories were by one goal, and 7 of Napoli’s 12 away losses were also by one goal – bwin quote $3.85.

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Bet: Handicap Draw (Roma -1 goal) Odds: $3.85 Stake: 3pts Bookies: Bwin

Match Betting Previews 23-25 August 2008 >>> Premiership: Blackburn v Hull - Liverpool v Middlesbrough - Newcastle v Bolton - Stoke v Aston Villa - Spurs v Sunderland - WBA v Everton - Fulham v Arsenal - Wigan v Chelsea - Man City v West Ham - Portsmouth v Man Utd Bundesliga: Dortmund v Bayern - Werder v Schalke - Stuttgart v Leverkusen Ligue 1: Le Havre v Marseille - Lyon v Grenoble - Bordeaux v Nantes Champions League: Arsenal v Twente - Liverpool v Standard - Atletico v Schalke