Napoli will be hoping to keep up the pressure on Serie A leaders Inter Milan when they welcome Empoli to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Monday night.
Indeed, the hosts are three points behind Inter going into this weekend's round of fixtures, with just seven games and 21 points left to play for. Their 1-1 draw away at Bologna last time out extended their unbeaten league run to five games, and they are also unbeaten in seven matches on home soil.
Down the other end of the table, Empoli are struggling in the relegation zone in 18th, two points away from safety. The visitors are winless in six matches in all competitions, having drawn 0-0 at home to Cagliari last time out.
Empoli also have not won in normal time away from home since beating Verona 4-1 in December, which does not bode well for them travelling to the second-placed team in the division. They have a surprisingly good recent H2H record against Napoli though, winning two of the last three meetings, which they can cling on to when they make the trip on Monday.
How the bookies view it: Napoli odds-on favourites
Napoli are heavy odds-on favourites to win this one, with odds as short as 3/10 with BoyleSports. A draw is valued at 15/4 with the same bookmaker, while Empoli are priced as far out as 17/2.
Recent head-to-head: Ex-player makes difference
The now departed Khvicha Kvaratskhelia made the difference in the reverse fixture in October, scoring the only goal from the penalty spot midway through the second half in a 1-0 win.
Players to watch: Luk favours the brave
Romelu Lukaku has scored in each of Napoli's last two home games, and can be backed at 11/10 with BoyleSports to find the net again anytime against Empoli.
Giuseppe Pezzella got the assist for Empoli's only goal in their last five games, and the visitors will rely on his creativity to try and break Napoli down.
Predicted lineups
Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa are both suspended for Napoli, while they also have a number of key injury doubts.
Tino Anjorin is a doubt for Empoli, and he could join a number of players on the sidelines for the visitors.
Napoli: Meret, Marin, Rrahmani, Juan, Olivera, Gilmour, Lobotka, Billing, Politano, Lukaku, Neres.
Empoli: Vasquez, Goglichidze, Marianucci, Viti, Sambia, Grassi, Henderson, Pezzella, Solbakken, Cacace, Esposito.
Anything else catch the eye?
The last five H2Hs have seen a team win with a clean sheet, and with Napoli big favourites to triumph, backing them to win to nil at 20/23 with BoyleSports seems logical. The hosts should be dominant, and so a price boost of 9/4 from BoyleSports for them to win both halves should also be considered.
This Serie A match between Napoli and Empoli will be played on and kick off at 19:45. Check below for our tipsters best Napoli vs Empoli prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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