Napoli vs Atalanta

Saturday’s Serie A action commences at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona as Napoli and Atalanta go head-to-head in a high-stakes clash.

Despite producing one of the worst title-defending campaigns in Serie A history, Napoli are still in contention for a place in the Champions League under the new format, trailing fifth-placed Roma by six points. Francesco Calzona’s side headed into March’s international break in high spirits after eking out a late 1-1 draw against runaway leaders Inter Milan to make it six unbeaten league games on the trot (W2, D4). The reigning champions’ form resurgence following Rudi Garcia’s departure has seen them avoid defeat in their last seven Serie A matches on home soil (W, D3) after suffering four defeats in their opening seven such fixtures. However, they’ve emerged victorious from just two of their last seven home H2Hs against Atalanta (D2, L3).

Despite a decent run of form in Naples, Atalanta can’t let that tuck them into a false sense of security, considering they’ve conceded 2+ goals on four of their last five visits to the Maradona Stadium. Gian Piero Gasperini’s side secured a precious 2-1 home win against Sporting CP before the break to reach the Europa League quarter-finals, ending a dismal run of five matches without winning (D3, L2). However, the visitors haven’t won a league game since mid-February and are winless on their last three league travels (D2, L1). Though they held Juventus to a 2-2 draw in their most recent away outing in Serie A, that stalemate also means they’ve yet to win a top-flight fixture on the road against teams ranked 11th or higher (D3, L5).