Having been toppled from the Serie A summit, Napoli are back in the chasing pack ahead of Saturday's clash with Udinese.
Consecutive losses in league and cup have stalled the Azzurri's superb start to the season, while their hosts have steadily maintained a place in mid-table.
Match preview
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Losing twice to Lazio in the space of four days has had a chilling effect on Napoli's hopes of challenging for two trophies this season, as they are now out of the Coppa Italia and no longer lead the way in Italy's top flight.
Antonio Conte named an entirely different starting XI for either fixture, but neither was able to cope with their in-form Roman counterparts, who are now just one point behind in the standings.
After Sunday's 1-0 home defeat, Atalanta BC now head a multi-club title race, and some fans are even questioning Conte's caution: of the current top eight, his Napoli side not only average the lowest share of possession (50%) but also have the worst goals-per-game rate (1.4).
They have scored a modest 21 league goals so far - representing the club's worst return at this stage of a season since 2009 - and unless they net three on Saturday, it will be their lowest total after 16 matches this century.
On the other side of the coin, Napoli have recorded five clean sheets from seven away games this term, while conceding only once in their last six on the road.
As Conte is also unbeaten in 11 Serie A encounters with Udinese, he will surely expect to get back on track this weekend.
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History will not be on Udinese's side in another respect either, as their last league win over Napoli came back in April 2016; since then, the Bianconeri have suffered no fewer than 13 defeats in 16 subsequent meetings.
They will approach this week's contest on the back of an increasingly rare win, though, having lost four of their previous five league games before beating Monza 2-1 on Monday.
Recording just their second Serie A success on the road, Lorenzo Lucca opened the scoring with his latest headed goal, and Slovenian centre-back Jaka Bijol later netted a second-half winner.
Udinese then moved up to ninth place in the standings, with 20 points from 15 matches, putting a halt to their recent slide.
Now seeking back-to-back league wins for the first time since September, the Friulani face two tough tests in a matter of days: after playing host to Napoli, they will tackle Scudetto holders Inter Milan in the Coppa Italia.
Team News
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Following their double setback against Lazio, Napoli have been dealt another blow, as star man Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has been ruled out until next year by a knee injury.
Brazilian winger David Neres could deputise, joining Matteo Politano and Romelu Lukaku in the final third: the latter has scored five goals in seven Serie A appearances against Udinese to date.
Pasquale Mazzocchi will also be sidelined, but Antonio Conte should have the rest of his squad available for the long trip north to Udine.
The hosts have also suffered some injury woe this week, as first-choice goalkeeper Maduka Okoye missed Monday's game in Monza due to a wrist injury that could keep him out of action for up to three months.
Furthermore, Oier Zarraga is not expected to return until after Christmas because of a thigh problem, so both must join Martin Payero, Alexis Sanchez and Keinan Davis in the stands.
With Davis absent, Lorenzo Lucca leads the line up front, having scored five league goals this season; four have come from headers - the joint-most in Serie A, alongside Mateo Retegui.
Udinese possible starting lineup:
Sava; Kristensen, Bijol, Giannetti; Ehizibue, Lovric, Karlstrom, Ekkelenkamp, Zemura; Thauvin, Lucca
Napoli possible starting lineup:
Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Buongiorno, Olivera; Anguissa, Lobotka; Politano, McTominay, Neres; Lukaku
We say: Udinese 1-1 Napoli
Napoli may drop more points, as a close-fought and cautious encounter could end all square.
With neither side in fluent form, goals will be scarce, and a share of the points is set to leave Conte and co frustrated.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Jonathan O'Shea
