Napoli are aiming to get their title defence back on track when they host Atalanta in an Italian Serie A fixture. Partenopei will be looking to maintain their solid home form, while the Bergamo club are hoping for some new manager bounce.
Napoli's Serie A title defence suffered a setback prior to the international break, failing to win their last two league matches. They were beaten 2-0 at Bologna in their previous fixture and have now dropped to fourth in the table.
The good news for Napoli is that their home form remains solid as they are yet to lose in all competitions at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. They have won four of their last five home matches in the league, with a 3-1 victory over leaders Inter Milan among their results.
Meanwhile, Atalanta's campaign has not gone according to plan, having claimed just two wins in 11 Serie A matches, losing 3-0 at home to Sassuolo prior to the international break. That result led to a managerial change, with Raffaele Palladino replacing Ivan Juric on the sidelines.
Atalanta are currently on an eight-match winless run in the league, and the first task for Palladino will be to get things back on track. The Bergamo club are winless in their last three Serie A away matches but will look to build on a 1-0 win at Marseille in the UEFA Champions League.
How the bookies view it: Bookies backing Napoli
Napoli have the upper hand among the bookies and are priced at 5/4 by bet365 to claim the win. A victory for Atalanta is valued at 23/10 by Paddy Power, while a draw is set at odds of 21/10 by William Hill.
Head to head: Napoli with the edge
Napoli have a 17-15 edge, with eight draws in the last 40 matches against Atalanta. The Neapolitans claimed a 3-2 away victory in the last meeting back in January.
Players to watch: McTominay to deliver
Scott McTominay carries a major goal threat from midfield and has scored four times in all competitions this season. He was on target in the last meeting with Atalanta and will be keen to get on the score sheet once again (Scott McTominay anytime goalscorer – valued at 16/5 with CORAL).
Atalanta also have some quality in attack and will look to Nikola Krstovic, who has two Serie A goals this season. The forward could be worth keeping an eye on (Nikola Krstovic anytime goalscorer – priced at 13/5 with Ladbrokes).
Probable line-ups:
Napoli have injury problems, with Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne and Billy Gilmour all sidelined. Rasmus Hojlund should lead the line while McTominay is set to continue in midfield.
Atalanta have no major injuries or suspensions heading into this clash. Krstovic could lead the line once again, with Ademola Lookman providing support while Isak Hien is set to feature at the back.
Napoli: Milinkovic-Savic, Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Buongiorno, Gutierrez, Lobotka, Elmas, McTominay, Neres, Politano, Hojlund.
Atalanta: Carnesecchi, Kossounou, Hien, Ahanor, Bellanova, Ederson, Pasalic, Zappacosta, Sulemana, Lookman, Krstovic.
Anything else catch the eye?
Both teams have scored in three of Napoli's last four Serie A home matches (BTTS YES – offered at 17/20 by William Hill). Those three fixtures have also produced over 2.5 goals – available at 11/10 by Betfred.
Napoli have scored over 1.5 goals in three of their last four Serie A matches (Napoli over 1.5 goals – set at odds of 5/4 with Paddy Power).
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