Genoavs.Napoli

The Azzurri head for Stadio Luigi Ferraris having responded to consecutive defeats by beating Udinese, while their hosts have inched away from the drop zone since Patrick Vieira took charge.

Match preview

Back-to-back losses in league and cup may have stalled Napoli's superb start to the season, but after suffering two defeats to Lazio within less than a week, Antonio Conte's side soon returned to winning ways.

Trailing at half time to Udinese last weekend, Romelu Lukaku's strike shortly after the break hauled them level, before an own-goal and Frank Anguissa's late finish ultimately secured a 3-1 victory.

Sitting just behind relentless Serie A leaders Atalanta BC, the Azzurri occupy second spot in the table on 35 points from 17 matches - an impressive tally that is already familiar to Conte.

Having previously done so with Juventus and Inter Milan, he is the only coach ever to hit that mark at this stage for three different clubs - and he won the Scudetto with both of the others.

With no continental football or Coppa Italia to consider, claiming the title will be Napoli's sole focus for the next few months, and their defensive record suggests they could well be crowned champions.

Not only have they conceded only twice in their last seven Serie A away matches, but since the start of September they have also kept five clean sheets on the road - a joint-best across Europe's top five leagues.

Precedent will certainly be on the visitors' side at Marassi, as over the past 14 years, Genoa have won only two of their last 27 top-flight meetings with Napoli.

However, the Grifone can make it seven straight league games unbeaten when they welcome their Campanian counterparts to Liguria on Saturday, having been revived since changing coach during the November international break.

New boss Patrick Vieira has gone undefeated through his first four matches, most recently overseeing a gritty goalless draw with AC Milan at San Siro - one of several stops during his illustrious playing career.

Genoa have now kept clean sheets in each of their last three games, and such solidity has helped them climb up to 13th place - albeit still only two points above the drop zone.

Though a familiar scrap for survival awaits, a new era is under way at the club. While Vieira will take care of the first team, Romanian businessman Dan Sucu has just acquired a majority stake; the owner of Romanian side Rapid Bucharest steps in after the previous owners went bankrupt.

Genoa Serie A form:

W

D

D

W

D

D

Napoli Serie A form:

L

D

W

W

L

W

Napoli form (all competitions):

D

W

W

L

L

W

Team News

After enjoying a good run without many absences, Napoli boss Antonio Conte must make do without two key players this weekend - and potentially until the start of next month - as chief creator Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has been joined in the treatment room by defensive rock Alessandro Buongiorno.

Either Rafa Marin or Juan Jesus should replace the latter, while David Neres deputises for Kvaratskhelia on the left wing. Though Pasquale Mazzocchi and Michael Folorunsho are both doubts, Frank Anguissa is set to overcome an illness and continue his integral role in midfield.

Up front, Romelu Lukaku has scored seven goals in six Serie A games against Genoa to date, making them his favourite opponent in Italian football.

Meanwhile, the hosts are all too familiar with seeing their squad depleted by injury: Koni De Winter, Jeff Ekhator, Caleb Ekuban, Junior Messias and Ruslan Malinovskyi are still sidelined.

With veteran striker Mario Balotelli sparingly used since his return to Italy - and also laid low by a fever - the Grifone's attack will be led by five-goal top scorer Andrea Pinamonti.

Genoa possible starting lineup:

Leali; Sabelli, Bani, Vasquez, Martin; Frendrup, Badelj, Thorsby; Zanoli, Miretti; Pinamonti

Napoli possible starting lineup:

Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Jesus, Olivera; Anguissa, Lobotka; Politano, McTominay, Neres; Lukaku

We say: Genoa 0-1 Napoli

Two teams that prioritise caution over free-flowing football could produce a close-fought contest at Marassi, where Genoa have yet to win a league game this season.

Written by

Jonathan O'Shea

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