Serie A | Gameweek 16

Dec 14, 2024 at 5pm UK

Dacia Arena

Udinesevs.Napoli

Match preview

Losing to Lazio twice in the space of four days has had a chilling effect on Napoli's hopes of winning two trophies this season, as they are now out of the Coppa Italia and no longer top of the Italian top flight.

Coach Antonio Conte named a completely different starting XI for both games, but neither were able to cope with their in-form opponents, who now sit just one point behind them in the standings.

Sunday's 1-0 home defeat left Atalanta BC in the middle of a multi-club title race, and some fans are even questioning Conte's caution: of the current top eight, his Napoli side not only have the lowest percentage of possession (50%), but also the worst goals-per-match ratio (1.4).

They have scored a modest 21 league goals so far - the club's worst return at this stage of the season since 2009 - and unless they net three on Saturday, it will be their lowest total after 16 games this century.

On the other hand, Napoli have kept five clean sheets in seven away games this term and have conceded just once in their last six away games.

With Conte's side also unbeaten in 11 Serie A meetings with Udinese, he will be hoping to get back on track this weekend

History will not be on Udinese's side in another respect, as their last league win over Napoli came in April 2016, and since then the Bianconeri have suffered no fewer than 13 defeats in 16 subsequent meetings.

However, they go into this week's clash on the back of an increasingly rare win, having lost four of their last five league games before beating Monza 2-1 on Monday.

Lorenzo Lucca opened the scoring for the Bianconeri, who recorded only their second away win in Serie A, with a header before Slovenian centre-back Jaka Bijol added a second-half consolation.

The result moved Udinese up to ninth in the standings with 20 points from 15 games, halting their recent slide.

The Friulians, who are now looking for back-to-back league wins for the first time since September, face two tough tests in the space of a few days, hosting Napoli before taking on Scudetto holders Inter Milan in the Coppa Italia.

Recent Performance

Udinese Serie A form:LLLDLW

Napoli Serie A form:WLDWWL

Napoli form (all competitions):LDWWLL

Team News

Napoli have been dealt another blow following their double defeat at the hands of Lazio, with star man Khvicha Kvaratskhelia ruled out until next year with a knee injury.

Brazilian winger David Neres could fill the void and join Matteo Politano and Romelu Lukaku in the final third, with the latter having scored five goals in seven Serie A appearances against Udinese.

Pasquale Mazzocchi is also sidelined, but Antonio Conte should have the rest of his squad available for the long trip north to Udine.

The hosts have also been hit by injury this week, with first-choice goalkeeper Maduka Okoye missing Monday's game in Monza with a wrist injury that could sideline him for up to three months.

In addition, Oier Zarraga is not expected to return until after Christmas with a thigh problem, leaving Martin Payero and Keinan Davis in the dugout.

In Davis' absence, and with Alexis Sanchez returning from a lengthy lay-off, Lorenzo Lucca, who has scored five league goals this season, four of which have come from headers, will lead the line alongside Mateo Retegui.

Possible starting lineup

Udinese possible starting lineup:

Sava; Kristensen, Bijol, Giannetti; Ehizibue, Lovric, Karlstrom, Ekkelenkamp, Zemura; Thauvin, Lucca

Napoli possible starting lineup:

Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Buongiorno, Olivera; Anguissa, Lobotka; Politano, McTominay, Neres; Lukaku