For much of the early Serie A campaign, Napoli were top of the table and looking like they could finally overthrow Turin giants Juventus.
However, the Bianconeri’s formidable run in recent months in the Italian top-flight has seen Maurizio Sarri’s team fall six points behind the champions. A home game with out-of-form Udinese on Wednesday night gives Sarri’s side the chance to at least maintain their title for a bit longer.
The team from Naples are unbeaten in five Serie A outings since suffering a surprise 4-2 home defeat by Roma. However, five of those unbeaten games have finished in draws, which has hampered their title challenge.
Last time out the home side drew 0-0 against AC Milan. It was one of four games from their last five in Serie A that has produced under 2.5 goals.
Napoli have been in very strong form of late on home soil, winning seven of their last eight games in Serie A. Sarri’s team have also scored at least two goals in six of their last eight games in the Italian top-flight on home soil.
Udinese are just six points clear of the relegation zone after nine straight defeats in Serie A. In fact, the team Udine have won just once in their last 14 games in the Italian top-flight.
The visitor’s main problem of late has been conceding goals, as they have conceded at least two goals in each of those nine league defeats.
Their away form has not helped their cause either, as the visitors have lost six of their last seven games on their travels in Serie A. They have also conceded at least two goals in all six of those defeats.
Forebet predicts that Napoli will record a potentially vital victory in a low scoring game to add to Udinese’s nervousness at the bottom of the table.