Napolivs.Parma

While the Gialloblu are unbeaten since returning to Serie A, their hosts suffered an opening-day defeat before posting maximum points last week.

Match preview

Having endured an awful 3-0 defeat to Hellas Verona on the first day of their Serie A campaign, Napoli had gone eight games without a league win stretching back to last season.

Antonio Conte's arrival brought some hope after a year of chaos and confusion, during which the Partenopei's dismal Scudetto defence went down in history for its ineptitude.

They ultimately trailed home in 10th place, just inside the top half of the table and some 41 points adrift of new champions Inter Milan.

Therefore, a collective sigh of relief could be heard around Naples when they won last time out against Bologna, with a 3-0 success featuring goals from captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo and inspirational forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

With momentum on their side, Napoli could now win back-to-back Serie A matches for the first time since early March, as Conte's new-look squad starts to take shape.

While Victor Osimhen's future remains undecided, Romelu Lukaku is set to join freshly arrived Brazilian winger David Neres in Campania after the international break, which follows this week's game against Parma.

Albeit spread across several seasons - due to their financial implosion and subsequent journey back up through Italy's lower leagues - Parma have won four of their last nine Serie A games against Napoli at Stadio Maradona.

Following a stunning success last weekend, the Crociati may fancy claiming their first victory in Naples since December 2019, when Dejan Kulusevski and Gervinho were both on the scoresheet.

Since gaining promotion as Serie B champions, Parma's progression has been apparent: following a disappointing Coppa Italia defeat with an opening-day draw against Fiorentina, then a huge statement win at Stadio Tardini.

It took less than two minutes to break the deadlock against AC Milan, as Dennis Man tapped in at the back post, and though Milan later equalised, new boys Pontus Almqvist and Matteo Cancellieri then combined to snatch all three points on the counter.

Now, Parma could go unbeaten through their first three top-flight fixtures for the first time since 2003, and Fabio Pecchia's side can travel south confident of causing an upset.

Napoli Serie A form:

Napoli form (all competitions):

Parma Serie A form:

D

W

Parma form (all competitions):

Team News

As Victor Osimhen still lurks by the exit, and Romelu Lukaku is not yet available, Giacomo Raspadori is again set to lead Napoli's attack on Saturday evening, beating Walid Cheddira and Giovanni Simeone to selection up front.

Support for the front man will primarily come from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia: since the start of 2022-23, the Georgian has both scored and assisted in the same match eight times, and only Kylian Mbappe has done so more often across Europe's top five leagues.

With no absences to restrict him, Antonio Conte should have a full squad to choose from, but the same XI that started against Bologna is likely to be retained.

Meanwhile, Parma will still be without Hernani (calf) and Gabriel Charpentier (flexor) due to injury, and Nahuel Estevez is now struggling to overcome a thigh problem.

That could necessitate a change in midfield, but the visitors are expected to keep faith in their tried and trusted front three: Ange-Yoan Bonny leads the line, supplied by Romanian wingers Valentin Mihaila and Dennis Man.

The latter will aim to be the first Parma player to score in each of the Crociati's opening three Serie A matches since Brazilian striker Adriano did so in both 2002 and 2003.

Napoli possible starting lineup:

Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Buongiorno; Mazzocchi, Lobotka, Anguissa, Olivera; Politano, Kvaratskhelia; Simeone

Parma possible starting lineup:

Suzuki; Coulibaly, Del Prato, Circati, Valeri; Bernabe, Estevez; Man, Sohm, Mihaila; Bonny

We say: Napoli 1-1 Parma

Napoli and Parma have drawn only one of their last 17 Serie A meetings, but a share of the spoils could be on the cards this weekend.

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