Parma vs Napoli predictions: Partenopei can take a step closer to title
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- Napoli have led at half-time in five of their last seven matches
- Parma have won only two of their last 18 games
- Recommended bet: Napoli-Napoli Half Time/Full Time
Napoli gave renewed hope to rivals Inter in the Serie A title battle last Sunday when they unexpectedly dropped points at home in a 2-2 draw with Genoa.
That enabled the defending champions to close to within one point of Antonio Conte's side with two matches remaining, yet Napoli could still be celebrating a second Scudetto success in three seasons on Sunday night if they win at Parma and Inter are beaten at home by Lazio.
The leaders had won their previous four league matches without conceding a goal, including 1-0 wins at Monza and Lecce in their last two away games.
Parma had been making steady progress away from the relegation zone with a gritty run of six draws and a win in seven games but taking only one point from their last three matches means their top-flight place for next season is still not secure going into the final two fixtures.
Team news
Lautaro Valenti is suspended for Parma, who are still without Yordan Osorio, Gabriel Charpentier, Alessandro Vogliacco and Valentin Mihaila.
Nahuel Estevez and Adrian Bernabe have a chance to shake off injuries to make the squad.
Napoli are set to be without Stanislav Lobotka, Alessandro Buongiorna and Juan Jesus in Parma due to injuries.
Billy Gilmour is likely to start in midfield after playing most of the last game as Lobotka's replacement after his early exit.
The stats
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Both teams have scored in 24 of Parma's 36 league matches.
Parma have scored in all four of their games against Serie A's top three this season, but lost three of those matches.
Napoli have been leading at half-time in five of their last six victories.
Four of Napoli's last six league matches have produced under 2.5 goals.
Napoli have won four of their last five Serie A games without conceding.
Parma have won only five of their 18 home league games this season.
Prediction
Napoli gave themselves some unnecessary worry by conceding an 84th-minute equaliser against Genoa last week but playing the teams in 16th and 14th to round out their season gives them every chance of landing the title.
Antonio Conte has previously won the Scudetto with Juventus and Inter and his current side should be able to pick up three valuable points against Parma.
The home team were beaten by relegation rivals Empoli last week and now have just one win in their last 10 games, although that was a notable upset of Juventus.
Napoli have been out of the blocks quickly in many of their recent outings and they can be backed to be leading at half-time and full-time in this game.
The leaders have been in front at the break in five of their last seven matches and after their setback last time out they should be keen to impose themselves by establishing an early lead.
With Romelu Lukaku and Scott McTominay leading their challenge, they should be capable of moving to the brink of clinching the title.
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