Carlo Ancelotti’s Napoli are experiencing a rocky patch. The Partenopei have put on a number of inconsistent performances over the course of their last seven games in all competitions.
On Thursday night, the Serie A second-place side lost 3-1 to Red Bull Salzburg in the Europa League. Fortunately for Napoli, they just edged the Austrians on goal aggregate 4-3.
Now, Napoli turn their attention back to Serie A, where they failed to win their last two games. Ancelotti watched his side draw 1-1 with Sassuolo a week ago. It followed a 2-1 loss to Juventus. Six points separate third-place AC Milan with Napoli. The Rossoneri are coming on strong and Napoli need to win on Sunday to prevent their rivals from gaining more ground.
Udinese haven’t had quite the same success as Napoli this term. The Zebrette are just four points above the relegation zone. A recent two-match win streak has helped Udinese’s chances of Serie A survival. Udinese did lose to Juventus last weekend, and a poor result against Napoli coupled with results for relegation rivals, and Udinese will be in a dog fight to stay up.
Making Udinese’s chances of victory more difficult is Napoli’s current record in Serie A. The Partenopei are undefeated in 72 of their last 80 league matches. Napoli and Udinese have met 36 times at the San Paolo previously. Napoli have won 21 times while drawing 11 games. Udinese have managed just four away wins against the Partenopei.
Although Davide Nicola’s team has conceded just 36 goals, scoring them has been an issue. Udinese are –14 in goal difference having tallied a mere 22 strikes. It is the third lowest mark in Serie A. Rodrigo de Paul leads Udinese in goals with seven. De Paul has tallied a goal and an assist in his last two matches.
Ancelotti’s side have not lost to Udinese since April 2016. That fixture was played at the home of the Zebrette as they ran out 3-1 winners. Napoli throttled Udinese in their previous meeting this season by three goals to nil. It was a strong scoreline, but with Napoli coming off of a draining, nail-biting Europa League fixture in midweek, goals will be hard to come by this time.
Napoli will continue their strong run of home successes against Udinese. However, they won’t put more than 2.5 goals into the Udinese net. Sunday’s game will be a close encounter with a fatigued Napoli edging Udinese with fewer than 2.5 goals.