It’s SuperCoppa Time in Saudi!

Napoli vs Fiorentina

It’s SuperCoppa time and while the new format is not to everyone’s taste – especially as the tournament is not even held on home soil – it’s fair to say excitement is building among the four participants.

This is the first time the tournament will feature four teams as the Serie A and Coppa Italia winners are joined by the runners-up of each competition to play in the semi-final and then the final.

It has for many years been held across the world and this time returns to Saudi Arabia.

Napoli are here courtesy of their famous Serie A triumph last season, while Fiorentina, who lost in the Coppa Italia final, are going to hope they can spring a surprise.

Inter Milan and Lazio will contest the other semi-final.

But what SuperCoppa 2023 highlights can we expect when the mini-tournament kicks off on Thursday with Napoli against Fiorentina at the King Saud University Stadium, regular home to Al-Nassr and Cristiano Ronaldo.

With the overall winner taking home €8 million in prize money and €5m going to the runners-up – plenty is my answer!

Talking Points

Both teams come into this contest in stuttering form, yet showed character at the weekend in Serie A.

That was evident as Napoli scored deep into stoppage time at the end of each half to finally see off spirited Salernitana.

Antonio Candreva gave the visitors a shock lead before Matteo Politano levelled from the penalty spot before the break.

With the contest heading for a draw, Amir Rrahmani struck to cause heartbreak for Serie A’s bottom side and a great escape for the reigning champions.

A day later Fiorentina twice came back from behind to draw 2-2 at home to Udinese – a result which keeps them fourth – after M’Bala Nzola converted a late equaliser from the penalty spot.

The club from Florence have had their fair share of misfortune over recent years, as well as tragedy, so to see them in a Champions League berth will give heart to all connected to Viola.

In that game, they enjoyed plenty of possession without creating many genuine scoring opportunities and that is something they will have to put right against a Napoli side who will be without their own star striker, Victor Osimhen, who is away with Nigeria at the African Cup of Nations.

It’s a new era for the Supercoppa Italiana and, if this tie is just half as exciting as their last cup meeting, my word we could be in for a treat!

History

In 38 meetings, Napoli have held the upper hand with 18 victories compared to 10 Fiorentina successes and 10 draws.

That includes two Napoli wins and one Viola victory in the cup.

Their most recent Coppa Italia meeting, a last-16 tie two seasons ago, was quite a shocker as it produced seven goals and three red cards over 120 plus minutes.

It saw the sides share four goals over 90 minutes before Fiorentina netted three times in extra-time to record a 5-2 success.

Dusan Vlahovic had given Fiorentina the lead before Dries Mertens equalised, Cristiano Biraghi restored the visitors’ lead only for Andrea Petagna to equalise deep into stoppage time.

Yet still Fiorentina would not be denied and quick fire goals from Lorenzo Venuti, Krzysztof Piatek and Youssef Maleh sealed a remarkable scoreline.

Fiorentina had played the whole second half and extra-time with 10 men, while Napoli had two men sent off in the final stages of normal time.

Fiorentina have already enjoyed success in Naples this term.

A 3-1 league in October was secured by goals from Josip Brekalo, Giacomo Bonaventura and Nicolas Gonzalez with a Osimhen penalty providing the only bright spot for the reigning champions.

There were only two goals in their meetings last season with a goalless draw in Florence followed by a 1-0 home win for Napoli when Osimhen was on target, again from the penalty spot.

Betting Tip

As you would expect Napoli are favourites but there’s not too much in it.

They are priced 1X2 @ 2.38 and Asian Handicap -0.25 @ 2.14 with the SBOTOP SuperCoppa 2023 betting odds, while the Florence outfit are available 1X2 @ 2.76 and Asian Handicap -0.25 @ 2.47.

The draw – after 90 minutes – is available @ 3.12.

Another 3-1 home success is on offer @ 22.00 with Correct Score.

If there are to be goals aplenty in this semi-final, then how about total goals 4-6 @ 3.70, 2-3 @ 1.89, 0-1 @ 3.00 and over 2.50 goals @ 2.06.

This is the best chance of silverware for both teams this season and I think home advantage will give Napoli the edge.

 

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