Figures including Carlo Ancelotti, Claudio Ranieri, Cesare Prandelli, Walter Zenga and Andrea Pirlo predict JuventusNapoli, but see Roma as Scudetto contenders.

The showdown kicks off tonight at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT), click here for a match preview.

It is first against third in the Serie A standings, while Roma sit between them and hope to take advantage of any slip-ups.

Figures including Carlo Ancelotti, Claudio Ranieri, Cesare Prandelli, Walter Zenga and Andrea Pirlo predict Juventus-Napoli, but see Roma as Scudetto contenders.

The showdown kicks off tonight at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT), click here for a match preview.

It is first against third in the Serie A standings, while Roma sit between them and hope to take advantage of any slip-ups.

A series of calcio heroes were questioned by La Gazzetta dello Sport, who asked for a prediction on tonight’s game and who will be the main title contenders.

“In my view, Juventus will win,” said Bayern Munich Coach Ancelotti. “At this moment Roma seem the most in form of the chasing pack, but compared to Juve they are too inconsistent.”

Leicester City manager Ranieri considers Juventus “practically unbeatable on home turf. If Napoli were to win, they’d take back what they lost in the home defeat to Roma.

“It’s too early to call the title race, as so far the season hasn’t shown any truly strong contenders.”

The vast majority of those polled predicted a Juventus victory tonight, including Hernan Crespo, Mircea Lucescu, Valencia Coach Prandelli, Sassuolo patron Giorgio Squinzi, Luca Toni and Albania tactician Gianni De Biasi.

None of the panel tipped Napoli for the win this evening, though Demetrio Albertini, Andrea Stramaccioni, Giuseppe Bergomi, Marco Materazzi, Zenga, Marco Tardelli and Ottavio Bianchi opted for a draw.

When it came to picking a main Scudetto rival for holders Juventus, most went for Luciano Spalletti’s Roma.

“Roma can trouble the Bianconeri, though at the moment there is a big difference between the teams in many areas,” noted Prandelli.

“I say Roma because they play spectacular football and it’s rare that doesn’t bring results,” noted Zenga. “Juve are accustomed to winning and never give up, but Spalletti’s work is narrowing the gap, as is Edin Dzeko’s form.”

Former Napoli Coach Bianchi believes “Roma and Napoli are on the same level as the Bianconeri. The gap has been reduced because Juve are so concentrated on the Champions League.”

Pirlo is watching from New York and believes “Roma are best-equipped with strength in depth, allowing Spalletti many alternatives. Juve have this consistency and so far the difference is in points Roma dropped unexpectedly.”

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