Napoli’s Three Points Meet Bologna’s Search for a First Win

A chance to change the early table picture

Napoli welcome Bologna to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Sunday, September 13, with both sides looking to improve difficult starts to the Serie A season. Napoli sit 12th with three points from three matches, while Bologna are 16th with one point. The hosts are two points clear of their visitors, but both remain well behind leaders AS Roma, who have nine points.

The match begins at 16:00 UTC, with K. Bonacina appointed referee. A Napoli win would strengthen their position in the lower half and move them closer to the leading group. Bologna need their first victory of the campaign to prevent the gap below them from widening after three games.

Contrasting form and home-away records

Napoli’s most recent results read win, loss, loss, so their three points have not been supported by consistent momentum. Their home record is also 0 wins, 0 draws and 1 loss. They have scored once and conceded twice at home, with no clean sheet.

Bologna’s sequence is loss, loss, draw, meaning they are still searching for a league win. Their away record is 0 wins, 0 draws and 1 loss, with no goals scored and one conceded in that match. Those numbers point to a contest in which both attacks have clear room for improvement, although Napoli have at least found the net at home.

Formation points and attacking outlets

Napoli have used a 4-3-3 in all three matches, while Bologna have used a 4-2-3-1 in each of theirs. On the available evidence, Napoli’s shape offers a consistent three-player attacking structure against Bologna’s four-man defensive line, while Bologna’s formation provides a different midfield balance and a central attacking option. How each side uses those established shapes could decide which team creates more reliable possession in advanced areas.

R. Højlund is Napoli’s leading scorer among the listed players, with two goals in three appearances. K. De Bruyne adds one goal and one assist in three appearances, making him another direct source of production. Bologna’s listed players do not include a scorer or assister, so Napoli’s named attacking numbers provide the clearest statistical threat before kick-off.

Absences add uncertainty

Napoli will be without Alisson Santos, A. Buongiorno, Giovane, L. Marianucci, S. McTominay and A. Meret, while F. Anguissa is questionable with a muscle injury. The unavailability of several players, including McTominay and Meret, reduces the options available around the preferred 4-3-3, while Anguissa’s status remains unresolved.

Bologna will miss O. El Azzouzi through a thigh injury and R. Orsolini through injury. With fewer listed options available, Bologna may need to rely more heavily on the 4-2-3-1 structure that has been used in every match so far.

Prediction

Predicted score: Napoli 1-0 Bologna. Napoli’s home goal and Højlund’s two-goal return give them the stronger listed attacking evidence, while both teams’ early records suggest a close, low-scoring match.