Napoli vs Sampdoria

Sampdoria had a good run last season and they couldn’t have gotten their new campaign off to a much better start thrashing Carpi 5-2. Still, it’s difficult to know what indication that result really gives. Sampdoria are not going to be the sort of side that scores huge numbers of goals, their success last season was based on a defence that doesn’t look quite the same in 2015-16.

Napoli no longer have Rafael Benítez and for all the criticism he received, they didn’t look better for it last weekend in defeat to Sassuolo. New manager Sarri brought a number of Empoli players to Napoli with him, they played more like a second tier side than a traditional European football contender in their first outing of the season.

Still, there’s plenty of quality and depth in this squad and it’s understandable that there will be some adjustment period.

This is a clash between two very well organised squads and lineups with experience. Both sides have been significantly adjusted over the summer, so expect this to be a well-played, but cautious affair. It’s a contest that has traditionally created some thrillers, including a 4-2 Napoli win last season, but that’s not likely to be the case this time around.

Three Reasons for Betting Tips

1. Napoli will hit back

They’re at home, they’ve got a good team and they got shocked in the opener. We’re expecting Napoli to come into the game pumped up and with a point to prove against an opponent that they’ve played well against in recent seasons.

2. Sampdoria won’t dig in

What characterised much of Sampdoria’s success last year was the ability to really dig in and grind out results, especially away from home. We’re skeptical that they’ll find that so easy this time around. In fact, we wouldn’t be surprised if they experienced some difficulties in 2015-16.

3. Expect some goals

It’ll probably be a cautious affair and not a thriller, but we are predicting some goals to be scored in this game. Some sides just seem to bring out a certain pattern of play in each other. These two teams haven’t had less than two goals in a game since the 2012-13 season.