Distant leaders Napoli meet rock-bottom Cremonese in Serie A's Sunday night kickoff, and the hosts aim to take another step towards the Scudetto with victory at Stadio Maradona.
Though Luciano Spalletti's men won again last week to top the table by 13 points, they were unexpectedly beaten by the Grigiorossi in the Coppa Italia last month. The visitors, however, are yet to win a single league game since promotion.
Match preview
© Reuters
Napoli's crusade towards the title continued apace last week in La Spezia, as they responded to a goalless first half by taking the lead straight after the break - when Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was gifted a chance to score from the spot - before Victor Osimhen later bagged a brace.
Of teams in Europe's top five leagues, only Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain have won more games in all competitions than Napoli's tally of 23 this term, and ahead of their return to Champions League action later this month, they will now seek a sixth successive victory in Serie A.
Remaining on course for 100 points at their current rate, Spalletti's side have also lost fewer games than any club other than Bayern Munich across Europe's elite leagues - just two in 28 games - and the sheer potency of an attack starring Osimhen and 'Kvaradona' often leaves opponents trembling in their wake.
After getting the better of Roma last time out at Stadio Maradona, they have won each of their last eight home matches in the top flight, and would record nine on the bounce for the first time since 2016 by beating Cremonese again on Sunday.
Having crushed the Grigiorossi 4-1 in October's reverse fixture, Napoli have never lost in 14 home meetings with Cremonese - though a draw in their most recent encounter last month ultimately saw the visitors progress on penalties.
© Reuters
Now through to the Coppa Italia semi-finals, Cremonese matched a much-changed Napoli for 120 minutes when they met in the last 16 - before completing a shock triumph via spot kicks - but they have scored only once in Naples across seven Serie A matches.
Davide Ballardini's men again went in search of their first league win of the season against Lecce last week, but despite conquering both Napoli and Roma in the cup, they were unable to even score against their fellow promoted side at Stadio Giovanni Zini in a 2-0 defeat.
The Lombardy club may have a first Coppa Italia semi-final since the 1980s to look forward to in April, when they tackle Fiorentina across two legs, but a forbidding 10-point gap has opened up between them and Serie A safety and shows no sign of closing.
Five draws and as many losses have come from Cremonese's first 10 away fixtures since returning to the top flight, and the league's second-worst defence statistically are now charged with the onerous task of keeping a rampant Azzurri attack at bay.
While Napoli boast the most goals scored from set pieces (15), the Grigiorossi have shipped more from dead-ball situations than any other team (13) - one of many reasons Ballardini may be dreading the trip down to Campania.
Team News
© Reuters
In the fortunate position of having a full squad at his disposal, Luciano Spalletti is set to name a familiar XI on Sunday, with in-demand striker Victor Osimhen leading the line up front. The Nigerian has netted in each of his last five league appearances - seven goals in all - and is the leading scorer across Europe's top five leagues in 2023.
Irrepressible winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (eight goals, nine assists) has been involved in 17 Serie A strikes since signing for the club last summer, and he joins Osimhen and either Hirving Lozano or Matteo Politano in a formidable front three.
Such are Spalletti's riches at the moment, even long-term absentee Diego Demme could make a brief cameo at some stage, having been back on the bench last weekend.
In contrast to their hosts' good fortunes on the injury front, Cremonese's own Nigerian strikers - David Okereke and Cyriel Dessers - may be unavailable for selection at Stadio Maradona; the former's fitness is a particular concern for Davide Ballardini.
As Felix Afena-Gyan's four goals this season have all come on the road - including his most recent, versus Napoli in the Coppa Italia - the ex-Roma forward will hope to play in Okereke's absence. Daniel Ciofani is also expected to start.
Cristian Buonaiuto and Kvaratskhelia's international colleague Luka Lochosvhili, meanwhile, remain doubts due to injury.
Napoli possible starting lineup:
Meret; Di Lorenzo, Kim, Rrahmani, Rui; Anguissa, Lobotka, Zielinski; Lozano, Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia
Cremonese possible starting lineup:
Carnesecchi; Bianchetti, Chiriches, Vasquez; Sernicola, Meite, Castagnetti, Pickel, Valeri; Afena-Gyan, Ciofani
We say: Napoli 2-0 Cremonese
Separated by some 48 points before kickoff, these sides come from different stratospheres, and a repeat of January's cup shock is unlikely this week. Indeed, Napoli are set to take maximum points with another clinical performance, leaving Cremonese winless and rooted to the foot of Serie A's standings.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
