Napoli will be keen to secure all three points against Udinese and go into the World Cup break with their unbeaten run intact.

An in-form Napoli side will take on an out-of-sorts Udinese in their final Serie A game before next week’s FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Luciano Spalletti’s side have looked nigh on invulnerable this season and are yet unbeaten in Serie A. Napoli’s lone loss this season across all competitions was against Liverpool at Anfield earlier in the month.

The loss to the Reds had little impact on their domestic form as the Partenopei rebounded with back-to-back wins over Atalanta and Empoli. This has seen them hold an eight-point gap over second-placed Lazio and defending champions AC Milan with 24 games to go.

Udinese, on the other hand, are in a slump of sorts following an excellent start to the season. A return of four draws and a loss over the last five games has seen them drop to eighth in the standings. While they are still within touching distance of a European spot, results will need to pick up soon.

Napoli have the best opportunity to win their first Scudetto since the 1980s and cannot afford to lose their initiative. Every point will matter come to the end of the campaign, and the onus is now on Spalletti and co. to not shoot themselves in the foot. The Hard Tackle looks at how both sides could line up on the night and what tactics they might employ.

Team News & Tactics

Napoli

Luciano Spalletti’s side have been relentless this season and can be considered favourites for the title. With a healthy eight-point lead at the summit with 14 games gone, the Partenopei have their destiny in their own hands.

The Italian manager rotated his side midweek against Empoli and could now welcome back his first-choice starting XI. Signing off for the break on the back of yet another win should keep the momentum going while also not allowing for any doubts to creep in.

Salvatore Sirigu and Amir Rrahmani are both out, while Khvicha Kvaratskhelia will also not return to action. The latter has been one of Napoli’s best performers this season and will be missed. Despite their absence, the home side should have enough firepower to cause Udinese massive problems.

Napoli are likely to go with a 4-3-3 that is freely flexible and will offer them the ability to shift gears if needed. Alex Meret should start in goal behind a back four of Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Leo Ostigard, Kim Min-jae and Mathias Olivera.

Stanislav Lobotka should start in the middle of the pitch with Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, and Piotr Zielinski deployed on either side of him. Victor Osimhen should lead the line, with Giacomo Raspadori and Hirving Lozano backing him up. Anguissa penned a new deal with the club earlier today and will be keen to make an instant impact

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Meret; Di Lorenzo, Ostigard, Kim, Olivera; Anguissa, Lobotka, Zielinski; Lozano, Osimhen, Raspadori

Udinese

Andrea Sottil’s side have failed to maintain their excellent start to the campaign and have petered off in recent weeks. The Udinese boss will be keen to embark upon the mid-season break with a win. Defeating Napoli will certainly restore his side’s flagging belief in themselves.

He will, however, have to do without Destiny Udogie, Rodrigo Becao, Jean-Victor Makengo and Adam Masina. Bram Nuytinck limped off midweek and is a concern for Udinese on the night. Should he be deemed fit, the 32-year-old will slot into the back three from the start.

Le Zebrette are likely to step out in a 3-5-2 formation on the night that will aim to crowd the midfield and cut off supply to the Napoli front three. Marco Silvestri should start in goal behind the defensive trio of Nehuen Perez, Jaka Bijol and Bram Nuytinck.

The trio of Sandi Lovric, Walace and Tolgay Arslan will be tasked with playing a narrow line and keeping things tight for their Napoli counterparts. Doing so will give Roberto Pereyra and Enzo Ebosse the freedom to get forward on the flanks.

Gerard Deulofeu is a sure starter upfront and is likely to be partnered by Isaac Success. Top scorer Beto is likely to start on the bench and could replace Success in the second half of the game.

Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Silvestri; Perez, Bjol, Nuytinck; Pereyra, Lovric, Walace, Arslan, Ebosse; Success, Deulofeu

Key Stats

  • In the last 12 Serie A games between the two sides, Napoli have won 11 and drawn one. Udinese have not beaten Napoli since 2016. Udinese have failed to keep a clean sheet against Napoli in Serie A since September 21, 2014. They have since conceded at least 2.5 goals over 15 matches.
  • Napoli have won the last eight home games against Udinese, their second-longest winning run against any opposition at home after Como do.
  • A win will see Napoli win 13 of their opening 15 games in a Serie A campaign for the first time in history. It is a feat that only Juventus have managed before (thrice).
  • A win will see Napoli win 11 Serie A games on the trot for the first time in history.
  • Napoli have found the back of the net 34 times in their first 14 games in Serie A this season. It is the most of any side in the Italian top flight in 2022/23.
  • Alongside Paris Saint-Germain, Napoli are the only other side in Europe’s top five leagues yet to experience defeat this season.

Player to Watch

Victor Osimhen

Embed from Getty Images

The Nigerian international has been in red-hot form this season and has led the Napoli line with conviction. Osimhen has nine goals and three assists from 13 games across all competitions and is a lethal presence in the opposition box.

Strong in the air and a difficult man to pin down when in possession, the 23-year-old will be primed to go into the World Cup hiatus on a high. Nigeria missing out on qualification will force the Napoli man to watch on from the sidelines, and he should be keen to remind fans exactly what they are missing with a memorable outing on Saturday.

Osimhen’s ability to run into space and also bring the other attackers around him into play is a massive weapon that could cause Udinese endless problems. Unless the visitors can keep the Nigerian ace shackled, it could prove to be a long and busy night for the Zebras.

Prediction

Napoli 2-0 Udinese

Napoli are riding high the wave of optimism right now and have not just the momentum but the run of form going in their favour. Udinese are well drilled and could pose their opponents some problems on the night. However, given the diversity that Luciano Spalletti can call upon in attack, the home side’s quality should see them come away with all three points. 

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