The Serie A title race heats up on Sunday as table-toppers Napoli welcome third-placed Atalanta to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona for a crucial lunchtime showdown. With both sides in scintillating form, this match promises to be one of the most exciting of the season so far.
After a disappointing 10th place finish last season, Napoli have been rejuvenated under new manager Antonio Conte. The Partenopei currently sit atop the Serie A standings with 25 points from 10 matches, having won their last five league games in a row.
Conte’s impact has been immediate and profound. Napoli have rediscovered the attacking verve and defensive solidity that led them to the Scudetto in 2022/23 under Luciano Spalletti. They’ve scored a league-high 26 goals while conceding just 7 – the best defensive record in Serie A.
Tuesday’s impressive 2-0 victory away to AC Milan further underlined Napoli’s title credentials. Goals from Romelu Lukaku and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia secured the win, opening up an 11-point gap to the Rossoneri. Conte even admitted afterwards that his team are now genuine contenders for the Scudetto.
The lack of European football this season has allowed Napoli to focus solely on domestic matters. They’ve been particularly formidable at home, winning all five of their matches at the Maradona so far. Another victory on Sunday would see Conte become the first manager in Napoli’s history to win his first six home games in charge.
While Napoli have been grabbing headlines, Atalanta have quietly put together an impressive run of form themselves. Gian Piero Gasperini’s side sit third in the table, having won their last four Serie A matches in a row.
La Dea have been scoring goals for fun, netting 26 times in just 10 league games – matching Napoli’s tally. Their last two Serie A outings saw them thump Hellas Verona 6-1 before dispatching Monza 2-0 in midweek.
Summer signing Mateo Retegui has been a revelation up front. The Italy international leads the Capocannoniere charts with 10 goals in 10 games, including four in his last five away matches. Ademola Lookman has also been in fine form, with 4 goals and 4 assists to his name already.
Atalanta’s fluid attacking style has been complemented by greater defensive stability this term. They’ve conceded just 11 goals – the fourth best record in the division. The back three of Berat Djimsiti, Isak Hien and Sead Kolasinac has gelled well in front of goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi.
Recent meetings between these sides have tended to produce goals and drama in equal measure. Six of the last seven clashes have seen both teams find the net.
Napoli have had the upper hand of late, winning each of the last four encounters. However, Atalanta did emerge victorious on their previous visit to the Maradona, running out 3-0 winners in April 2023.
That was a very different Napoli side though. Under Conte, the Partenopei look a far more cohesive and dangerous outfit. They’ve kept clean sheets in seven of their last eight matches in all competitions, with an aggregate score of 18-1 during that run.
The midfield battle will be crucial, with Napoli’s trio of Frank Anguissa, Billy Gilmour and Scott McTominay up against Atalanta’s Marten de Roon and Ederson. De Roon is set to make his 281st Serie A appearance for La Dea, equalling the club record.
Out wide, the duel between Napoli’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Atalanta’s Davide Zappacosta could be pivotal. Kvaratskhelia has rediscovered his best form of late, while Zappacosta offers an attacking threat from wing-back.
Up front, the in-form Romelu Lukaku will look to add to his tally of 4 goals and 4 assists. For Atalanta, top scorer Mateo Retegui will be aiming to maintain his hot streak away from home.
Team News
Napoli manager Antonio Conte has a nearly full squad at his disposal, with only midfielder Stanislav Lobotka unavailable due to a recent thigh strain. The hosts are likely to field an unchanged starting lineup from their previous match.
This would see a midfield trio of Billy Gilmour, Frank Anguissa, and Scott McTominay, with the latter two reuniting as Scotland teammates. The attack is expected to feature the familiar trident of Matteo Politano and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia supporting Romelu Lukaku. Notably, Lukaku is one of just two players in Serie A, alongside Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman, to have both scored and assisted at least four goals this season.
For Atalanta, Marco Brescianini remains sidelined, joining long-term absentees Gianluca Scamacca and Giorgio Scalvini on the injury list.
Captain Marten de Roon is set to make history by equaling Atalanta’s record for Serie A appearances (281) when he takes the field at the Maradona. He’s likely to partner Ederson in the midfield.
In attack, Mateo Retegui has been in impressive form, netting four goals in his first five away matches. The Italy international currently leads the Capocannoniere race by three goals after 10 rounds of Serie A action.
Expected Starting XIs
Napoli: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Buongiorno, Olivera; Anguissa, Lobotka; Politano, McTominay, Kvaratskhelia; Lukaku
Atalanta: Carnesecchi; Djimsiti, Hien, Kolasinac; Bellanova, Ederson, De Roon, Ruggeri; De Ketelaere, Lookman; Retegui
Match Prediction
This has all the makings of a thrilling, high-quality encounter between two of Serie A’s most exciting teams. Napoli’s imperious home form gives them the edge, but Atalanta have the firepower to cause problems.
Expect goals at both ends in an entertaining contest. Napoli’s greater defensive solidity may just see them edge it, but don’t rule out Atalanta snatching a point.
Prediction: Napoli 2-1 Atalanta
