Sunday’s Serie A action commences at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona as Napoli and Atalanta go head-to-head lunchtime kick-off. Both sides have fared well in the build-up to the game, setting themselves up nicely for this heavyweight clash.
First-half goals from Romelu Lukaku and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia inspired Napoli to a 2-0 win at Milan on Tuesday, extending their phenomenal unbeaten run in Serie A to eight games (W8, D1). Sat comfortably atop the league standings, Antonio Conte’s men boast a four-point lead on second-placed Inter.
However, there’s no room for complacency. Napoli will take on the Nerazzurri in the next round. There’s no doubt Conte would appreciate three points here since it would be the ultimate confidence booster ahead of next week’s top-table six-pointer. Yey, Atalanta are perfectly capable of causing problems.
Though their performance in a midweek encounter against Monza flattered to deceive, Atalanta claimed a 2-0 win at the Gewiss Stadium. Lazar Samardzic and Davide Zappacosta were on the scoresheet to guide La Dea to their fourth consecutive league victory, firing them to third in the table pre-round.
Last season’s UEFA Europa League winners look hellbent on mounting a genuine Scudetto challenge this term after returning to the Serie A top four in 2023/24. What better way to announce their title candidacy than beating a table-topping team in their backyard?
Match Preview
Napoli
The abovementioned triumph against Milan was Napoli’s sixth successive in all competitions. That’s their longest winning streak since a run of eight toward the end of their title-winning 2022/23, testifying to the club’s renaissance under Conte.
Conte has rebuilt Partenopei’s home fortress. Indeed, Napoli are the only side in Serie A with a 100% home record this season. They’ve won all five league outings at the Maradona via an aggregate score of 11-2, netting at least two goals on four occasions.
It’s equally important to note that two of their last three home league victories have come ‘to nil.’ Defensive resilience could be crucial against free-scoring Atalanta, especially considering Napoli’s indifferent record across their last eight home duels against La Dea in Serie A (W3, D1, L4).
Breaking the deadlock would likely seal the deal for Napoli. They have emerged victorious from all eight top-flight fixtures after opening the scoring this season.
Atalanta
Not many teams can knock Napoli off their perch. However, Atalanta may be part of the select club. Gasperini’s charges thumped the three-time Serie A champions 3-0 in this corresponding fixture last term, maintaining a zig-zag trend in this match-up.
Interestingly, the last four league meetings between Napoli and Atalanta on this ground have fluctuated between wins for each side. Halting that running theme with another triumph would see the Bergamo outfit achieve something they’ve failed to do in the 21st century.
The last time Atalanta won back-to-back league games in Naples was in 1997. But despite Napoli’s stellar form under Conte, it’s hard to put it past La Dea to rewrite the club’s recent history on Sunday. They’ve won their last two competitive away matches by 2+ goals ‘to nil.’
Against this backdrop, Gasperini’s men have been triumphant in only one of their last four Serie A clashes on the road (D1, L2). On top of that, Gasperini hasn’t defeated Conte in their seven previous managerial duels (D2, L5).
Team News
In addition to exiled Mario Rui, Napoli are still without injured midfielder Stanislav Lobotka. Billy Gilmour has thrived in the Slovakia international’s absence and should start next to Scott McTominay and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa in the engine room. Leonardo Spinazzola is the only doubt.
As for Atalanta, Odilon Kossounou has joined long-term absentees Marco Brescianini, Gianluca Scamacca, and Giorgio Scalvini on the sidelines. Scamacca’s injury has proved a blessing in disguise for the visitors this season as emergency signing Mateo Retegui leads the scoring charts in Serie A with ten goals.
Napoli vs Atalanta Potential Starting Line-ups
Napoli (4-2-3-1): Alex Meret; Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Amir Rrahmani, Alessandro Buongiorno, Mathias Olivera; Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Billy Gilmour; Matteo Politano, Scott McTominay, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia; Romelu Lukaku.
Atalanta (3-4-2-1): Marco Carnesecchi; Berat Djimsiti, Isak Hien, Sead Kolasinac; Raoul Bellanova, Ederson, Marten de Roon, Matteo Ruggeri; Charles De Ketelaere, Ademola Lookman; Mateo Retegui.
Napoli vs Atalanta Prediction
With both teams going from strength to strength, it’s almost impossible to give anyone an upper hand before the kick-off. Napoli’s home advantage could give Conte’s team a slight nudge, but we cannot put it past Atalanta to take three points.
Therefore, we opt for a diplomatic solution.
Prediction: Both Teams to Score
 |
Follow us on Google News for more updates on Serie A and Italian football |