Venezia vs Napoli 17 October 2026 Prediction

Napoli have recovered from a poor start to the Serie A season, taking seven of a possible nine points from their last three league games. They have also won three of their last four meetings with Venezia, drawing the other.

Venezia Changes Managers

Giovanni Stroppa’s attacking approach proved ineffective in Serie A, and he was dismissed after six losses in the opening six rounds. His replacement is Davide Nicola. Nicola has previously kept Crotone, Genoa, Torino, Salernitana, and Empoli in the top flight after taking charge during the season. Venezia will be hoping he can do the same for them.

He inherits a depleted squad. Five defensive players are injured: defenders Thierry Correia, Bartol Franjić, Marin Šverko, and Armel Bella-Kotchap, plus defensive midfielder Gianluca Busio. Those absences will make Napoli’s attack difficult to contain in Nicola’s first game.

Allegri Improves Napoli’s Attack

Massimiliano Allegri has yet to settle Napoli’s defense. In their 3-1 Champions League loss to Villarreal, gaps between the lines gave the Spanish side room to attack. Napoli were more effective going forward. Despite the result, they created more chances and led the expected goals count, 1.67 to 1.23. Their best attacking performance of the season came in the next Serie A round: a season-high 3.15 xG and a 3-0 win over Frosinone.

Since the international break, Allegri has used a 3-4-3 formation. With Stanislav Lobotka and Kevin De Bruyne in central midfield, Napoli have moved the ball into dangerous areas more consistently. De Bruyne also scored twice against Frosinone. A demanding schedule and limited options for rotation because of injuries are Napoli’s main concerns ahead of this game.

Venezia vs Napoli Predicted Lineup

Venezia (3-5-2): Stanković; Moreno, Jesus, Halal; Aino, Pérez, Bašić, Zom, Sagrado; Yeboah, Adams

Out: Franjić, Busio, Šverko, Bella-Kotchap, Correia, Adorante (injured). Mazzocchi is questionable.

Manager: Davide Nicola

Napoli (3-4-3): Meret; Rrahmani, Marin, Badiashile; Di Lorenzo, De Bruyne, Lobotka, Spinazzola; McTominay, Lang, Højlund

Out: Buongiorno, Favasuli, Vergara, Neres (injured). Zambo Anguissa, Olivera, and A. Santos are questionable.

Manager: Massimiliano Allegri

Venezia vs Napoli Prediction: Napoli Handicap -1.5

Main pick: Napoli lost to Villarreal in the Champions League, but Venezia present a different challenge. Nicola has had little time to organize his new team, and Venezia are missing several defensive players. Napoli’s attack has improved in the 3-4-3 formation, while Venezia have lost by at least two goals against Atalanta, Lazio, Fiorentina, and AC Milan this season. The pick is Napoli -1.5 handicap at 2.74.

Goals pick: Napoli have kept only two clean sheets in their last seven competitive games. At least four goals have been scored in three of Venezia’s last four matches. The additional pick is over 3.5 goals at 2.70.