AS Roma vs Napoli Serie A - October 18, 2013

Stadio Olimpico - Roma will be hosting on Friday, October 18, 2013, an Italian Serie A match between AS Roma and Napoli.

Both teams have started the season extremely well despite losing key players and having to adapt to new managers. Roma have won all seven of their Serie A fixtures so far this season with a 20-1 goal difference! Convincing wins against Lazio in the derby and Inter away from home confirmed the Lupi as more than flat-track bullies. If they can win or at least draw against Napoli, they'll be confirmed as contenders.

As for the visitors, Benitez's men have also started the campaign in impressive form, winning six of their seven games with the only blip being a 1-1 draw with bottom side Sassuolo last month.

Having missed out on European football completely, Roma are now free of distractions this season. And they have also very few injuries. Destro is the only long-term absence while Balzaretti is suspended and will be replaced by Dodò. Ljajic and Gervinho are in contention but the Ivory Coast star should be in the starting lineup. Maicon is now fully fit and will play as right back.

On the other side, Benitez has some injury worries as Higuain, Maggio, Albiol and Zuniga have physical problems and might miss the match. Mertens should replace Insigne in the starting lineup despite the Italian international played very well with Italy against Armenia.

Roma won this fixture 2-1 last season and victory on Friday will leave Garcia’s side five points of clear of one of their main rivals for the Serie A title. The Giallorossi beat all their opponents this season at least by 2 goals margin (including Parma, Lazio, Sampdoria and Inter Milan).

Possible line-ups:

Roma (4-3-3): De Sanctis; Maicon, Benatia, Castan, Dodò; Pjanic, De Rossi, Strootman; Florenzi, Totti, Gervinho.
Napoli (4-2-3-1): Reina; Maggio, Albiol, Britos, Armero; Inler, Behrami; Callejon, Hamsik, Mertens; Higuain.

Italian Serie A - AS Roma vs Napoli
Match date: Friday, October 18, 2013
Kick Off Time: 19:45 UK (BST) - 06:45 PM - 8:45 PM
Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Roma, Italy 

You can watch the match here: Link 1 , Link 2 [Live Scores]