Two of Italy's top three convene in Bergamo on Saturday evening, as Scudetto rivals Atalanta BC and Napoli vie for victory at the Gewiss Stadium.
The visitors have recently overtaken their hosts as Serie A leaders, and they will be gunning for revenge after a shocking 3-0 home defeat in November's reverse fixture.
Match preview
© Imago
Leaving them four points behind first-placed Napoli, Atalanta were held on home turf by draw specialists Juventus earlier this week, as both sides caught up a fixture delayed by their participation in the Supercoppa Italiana.
An absorbing first half was followed by an end-to-end encounter after the interval, as Juve seemed set to dent La Dea's superb home record after breaking the deadlock; however, Serie A's top scorer then emerged from the bench to square the scores with a typical poacher's finish.
Italy striker Mateo Retegui returned from injury to head his side level, before both sides had a shot cleared off the line and had other chances saved but ultimately failed to find a winner.
Though the outcome was tinged with disappointment for Gian Piero Gasperini's men - who had previously lost in the Supercoppa semis to Inter Milan, then scraped a fortunate point against Udinese - they remain unbeaten in 15 league matches, having drawn each of the last three.
A first Serie A draw at the Gewiss Stadium followed seven wins and just one loss this term; while stretching back to last season, Atalanta have scored in all of their last 25 top-flight home fixtures, averaging 2.5 goals per game.
Therefore, the Europa League winners - who will resume their Champions League campaign at home to Sturm Graz next week - may expect to continue their recent dominance over Napoli.
Two months ago in Naples, Ademola Lookman struck twice before Retegui added La Dea's third at Stadio Maradona, making it consecutive 3-0 wins for the reigning Europa League champions.
© Imago
Curiously, though, Atalanta have lost their last three Serie A home games against Napoli, so history will certainly be on the visitors' side in that respect.
Last weekend, Antonio Conte's team extended their lead at the top by sweeping aside Hellas Verona, as Giovanni Di Lorenzo's powerful shot was deflected in off Gialloblu goalkeeper Lorenzo Montipo, before Frank Anguissa sealed the deal with a sublime finish.
Napoli have won their last three games without conceding a goal, and they will now be looking for their sixth straight victory since losing to Lazio in early December.
Set to fight it out with Atalanta and reigning champions Inter for the Scudetto, they have recorded the most clean sheets across Europe's top five leagues this season - an impressive tally of 12.
The Partenopei also boast a superb away record, with seven wins and only one loss from nine league matches on their travels, so they have nothing to fear heading into Serie A's Saturday night showdown.
Team News
© Imago
Much to Antonio Conte's dismay, Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia this week sealed a lucrative mid-season move to Paris Saint-Germain, but fellow winger David Neres has been particularly impressive of late and will again support top scorer Romelu Lukaku.
In his last two games, Lukaku has scored one goal and provided three assists, setting up both of the Partenopei's strikes versus Verona.
They will again be without commanding centre-back Alessandro Buongiorno due to injury, so Juan Jesus should continue to deputise in defence; Mathias Olivera is set to return at left-back.
Meanwhile, Atalanta may be able to select Juan Cuadrado following a layoff, leaving only suspended defender Sead Kolasinac, long-term absentee Gianluca Scamacca and recent injury victim Odilon Kossounou on the sidelines. Reports suggest the latter may be missing for up to four months.
It remains to be seen whether Gian Piero Gasperini will recall Mateo Retegui, who made his return in midweek and immediately moved onto 13 league goals for the season, putting him top of the Capocannoniere rankings race.
The last Italian player to score more in a single season for La Dea was Cristiano Doni, who notched 16 back in 2001-02, but Charles De Ketelaere and Ademola Lookman may be preferred from the start.
Atalanta BC possible starting lineup:
Carnesecchi; Scalvini, Hien, Djimsiti; Bellanova, De Roon, Ederson, Ruggeri; Pasalic; Lookman, De Ketelaere
Napoli possible starting lineup:
Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Jesus, Olivera; Anguissa, Lobotka; Politano, McTominay, Neres; Lukaku
We say: Atalanta BC 1-1 Napoli
Chasers Atalanta excel at home, while Serie A leaders Napoli are a force to be reckoned with on the road.
Therefore, an intense contest between two of Italy's most respected coaches could end with the spoils shared, perhaps handing an advantage to Inter.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Jonathan O'Shea
