Napoli will be keen to regain top spot in Serie A when they travel to Udinese on Saturday evening.
Napoli, having slipped from the Serie A summit, travel to the Dacia Arena on Saturday to face a mid-table Udinese side hoping to build on a rare recent victory. With back-to-back defeats in league and cup competitions, the Partenopei find themselves in a tight title race and under increasing scrutiny. Meanwhile, Udinese approach this clash with renewed confidence after halting their own slump with a win over Monza earlier in the week.
After a blistering start to the season, consecutive losses to Lazio in both Serie A and the Coppa Italia have exposed cracks in Napoli’s armour. Antonio Conte’s tactical tweaks, including fielding entirely different starting elevens in the two games, failed to prevent a 1-0 defeat in the league that allowed Atalanta BC to take the top spot. Napoli now find themselves trailing in the title race, with their attacking inefficiency becoming a focal point of criticism.
With just 21 goals in 15 matches, Napoli’s current scoring rate of 1.4 goals per game is the lowest among the top eight teams in the league. It is also their worst tally at this stage of the season since 2009. Unless the Azzurri can score at least three against Udinese, they are on course for their lowest 16-game total of the 21st century.
Defensively, however, Napoli have been impressive on the road, boasting five clean sheets in seven away games and conceding just once in their last six. Conte’s personal record against Udinese—unbeaten in 11 Serie A encounters — adds to the away side’s optimism of turning things around.
Udinese come into this clash following a morale-boosting 2-1 win over Monza, only their second away victory of the season. Goals from Lorenzo Lucca and Jaka Bijol helped halt a run of four defeats in five games, moving the Bianconeri up to ninth place with 20 points.
Despite their struggles this season, Udinese have shown resilience at home, and victory over Monza may signal a turning point. However, history is not on their side. The Friulani have not beaten Napoli in Serie A since April 2016, suffering 13 defeats in their last 16 meetings.
Udinese’s challenge is compounded by their inconsistent form in front of goal and a lack of back-to-back league wins since September. With Inter Milan looming in the Coppa Italia after this weekend, they face a challenging few days that could test their squad depth and resolve. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Team News & Tactics
Udinese Calcio
Udinese head into their clash with Napoli dealing with a string of injury setbacks. First-choice goalkeeper Maduka Okoye is sidelined with a wrist injury sustained earlier this week, which is expected to keep him out of action for up to three months.
Midfielder Oier Zarraga is also unavailable due to a thigh problem and is not expected to return until after Christmas. In addition, Martin Payero, Alexis Sanchez, and Keinan Davis remain unavailable, further limiting Udinese’s options.
Udinese are expected to line up in a 3-5-2 formation, designed to maximize defensive solidity while allowing their attacking players to shine. In goal, Razvan Sava is set to deputise for the injured Maduka Okoye. The defensive trio of Thomas Kristensen, Jaka Bijol, and Lautaro Giannetti will aim to keep Napoli’s attack at bay, providing a strong and organized backline.
In midfield, the wing-back roles will be occupied by Kingsley Ehizibue on the right and Jordan Zemura on the left, offering width and supporting both defensive and offensive transitions. The central midfield will feature Sandi Lovric, Jesper Karlstrom, and Jurgen Ekkelenkamp, tasked with breaking up Napoli’s play and driving Udinese forward.
In attack, Lorenzo Lucca will partner with Florian Thauvin, combining aerial threat and creative flair to challenge Napoli’s defence. Lucca’s heading ability will be a key weapon, particularly from set pieces.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Sava; Kristensen, Bijol, Giannetti; Ehizibue, Lovric, Karlstrom, Ekkelenkamp, Zemura; Thauvin, Lucca
SSC Napoli
Napoli come into the clash against Udinese with more injury setbacks following their double defeat to Lazio. Star winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has been ruled out for the remainder of the year due to a knee injury, a significant blow to the Azzurri’s attacking options. Brazilian winger David Neres is expected to deputize for Kvaratskhelia, joining a potent front line.
In addition, full-back Pasquale Mazzocchi will also miss out due to injury, leaving Antonio Conte with limited options in his defensive rotation. However, Conte is fortunate to have the rest of his squad fit and available, including key figures in defence, midfield, and attack, for the long trip north to Udine.
Conte is expected to stick with a 4-2-3-1 formation, aiming to combine defensive discipline with attacking creativity. Alex Meret will start in goal, anchoring Napoli’s defensive setup. The back four will likely feature captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo at right-back, with Amir Rrahmani and Alessandro Buongiorno forming the central defensive pairing. Mathias Olivera will occupy the left-back role, offering defensive cover and attacking width.
In midfield, the double pivot will consist of Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Stanislav Lobotka, who will provide a balance of defensive solidity and ball progression. The attacking midfield trio will include Matteo Politano on the right wing, David Neres on the left, and Scott McTominay in the central role, tasked with linking play and creating chances.
Leading the line will be Romelu Lukaku, whose physical presence and clinical finishing make him a constant threat. Lukaku’s strong record of five goals in seven Serie A appearances against Udinese showcases his potential to be decisive in this encounter.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Buongiorno, Olivera; Anguissa, Lobotka; Politano, McTominay, Neres; Lukaku
Key Stats
- Udinese’s last victory over Napoli in Serie A came back in April 2016, with a 3-1 win at home. Since then, the Bianconeri have failed to win any of their 16 league meetings, suffering 13 defeats and securing just three draws against the Partenopei.
- Three of the last five Serie A games played in Friuli between Udinese and Napoli have ended in 1-1 draws, including the last two encounters. Interestingly, Napoli has also secured two wins during this period. Udinese have not drawn three consecutive games in this fixture since the period between 2012 and 2014.
- Napoli have lost their last two games and are at risk of recording three consecutive defeats in all competitions for the first time since the period between November and December 2023. That stretch included defeats to Real Madrid in the Champions League and Inter Milan and Juventus in Serie A.
- Following their victory over Monza in their last Serie A game, Udinese could now record consecutive league wins for the first time since September when they managed a run of three straight wins.
- Antonio Conte is unbeaten in 11 Serie A games as a manager against Udinese, boasting an exceptional record of nine wins and two draws (W9 D2). Among the teams Conte has faced at least 10 times in Serie A, Udinese are the opponent against which he has his highest win rate (82%).
Player to Watch
Romelu Lukaku
Romelu Lukaku remains a pivotal figure for Napoli as they aim to bounce back from a challenging week. The powerful Belgian striker is not only a consistent goal scorer but also a vital focal point for Antonio Conte’s attacking setup. With five goals in seven Serie A appearances against Udinese, Lukaku has a proven track record of troubling the Friulani’s defence.
Lukaku’s physicality, intelligent movement, and ability to hold up the ball make him a nightmare for opposing defenders. He excels at bringing teammates into play, linking up with creative players like Matteo Politano and David Neres, while also creating space for others with his runs. Against a Udinese side that has conceded frequently this season, his predatory instincts in the box could be decisive.
Moreover, Lukaku’s experience and composure in high-pressure situations will be crucial for Napoli, especially as they look to turn their form around after back-to-back defeats. If Napoli are to secure a much-needed victory at the Dacia Arena, expect Lukaku to play a leading role in spearheading their attack and finding the back of the net.
Prediction
Udinese Calcio 0-2 SSC Napoli
Napoli’s defensive solidity on the road will meet Udinese’s hopes of building attacking momentum, making this a tightly contested battle. While Udinese’s recent win adds intrigue, Napoli’s superior quality and Antonio Conte’s tactical nous should see the visitors edge this clash.
Napoli’s defensive stability and motivation to bounce back should guide them to a much-needed victory, with their attacking stars likely to rediscover their rhythm. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-0 win for Antonio Conte and his charges.
