Gian Piero Gasperini has urged Roma to "fight until the end" in their battle for a Champions League spot, with a trip to reigning Serie A champions Napoli up next.

Roma, who got back to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Cagliari last time out, currently sit fifth in Serie A, level on points with fourth-place Juventus, and three behind Napoli in third.

With 14 games left to play in the top-flight this season, the race for the top four is heating up, with Roma the outside bet; the Opta supercomputer gives them a 46.3% chance of finishing in the Champions League spots.

However, their most likely finishing position is fifth (30.1%), and Gasperini warned his side that they cannot take their foot off the gas, despite staying close to the teams above them.

Asked if he expected to be so close to Napoli at this stage of the season, Gasperini said: "We've always thought about our own path. This is a championship with different periods, with many teams involved.

"Inter has grown a lot, as have Juventus and Milan. Napoli has had good moments and some difficulties due to defections. After 24 matchdays, we're there. Then there's Como and Atalanta.

"But this is the Italian championship. Objectives and results aren't achieved with matches to spare; we have to fight until the end."

Napoli have won three of their last four Serie A matches, beating both Fiorentina and Genoa since falling to a 3-0 loss at Juventus.

Antonio Conte is unbeaten in his last nine Serie A matches as a manager against Roma (W5 D4), with his side looking to stay close to AC Milan, who are currently four points above them in second.

But Roma will be keen to ensure they do not lose ground on the Partenopei, especially with another crunch clash against Juventus to come in two weeks' time.

"These are undoubtedly two important matches," Gasperini replied when asked if Roma's Champions League hopes hinged on the games against Napoli and Juventus.

"They're head-to-head matches and carry a higher value than other teams. They're always worth three points, and I don't think the Champions League odds vary much from one season to the next.

"They're important matches, but not decisive. They're important above all in light of what was said before, the ability to overcome certain teams."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Napoli – Rasmus Hojlund

Rasmus Hojlund has scored eight goals in 20 Serie A appearances this season, just one short of equalling his goals tally from his only previous Serie A season (nine in 32 games for Atalanta in 2022-23).

Roma are also the only opponent against whom the Dane has won 100% of his Serie A matches (3/3), among teams faced at least three times.

Roma – Donyell Malen

Donyell Malen's brace on the last matchday means that Gasperini's players have now scored 103 multiple goals in Serie A.

Since he joined Roma last month, Malen has scored three goals (from 3.0 expected goals), having had 22 shots in total, with eight of those on target.

MATCH PREDICTION: NAPOLI WIN

Napoli have lost just one of their last 12 Serie A encounters against Roma (W7 D4). The Giallorossi's only victory in this period came on December 23, 2023 (2-0 at the Olimpico).

And Napoli have avoided defeat in their last seven home Serie A matches against Roma (W4 D3 L0); the Giallorossi's last away league win against the Partenopei was on March 3, 2018, under manager Eusebio Di Francesco (4-2).

Napoli's record at home is strong regardless. They are unbeaten in their last 22 home league games (W16 D6); the last time they registered a longer unbeaten run at home in Serie A was between February 1986 and February 1988 (31 matches).

Roma, meanwhile, have earned the fewest points against the current top five teams in Serie A, with just one point from five matches (one draw against AC Milan on January 25); the Giallorossi have also scored the fewest goals (two) in these specific matches.

Roma (W7 L5) are one of only three teams across the top five European leagues this season, along with Inter and Brentford, who are yet to draw an away game.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Napoli – 39.7%

Draw – 30%

Roma – 30.3%