Napoli continue their Scudetto charge with an away trip to an Empoli side that cannot be underestimated.
The match between the Tuscan side and the Partenopei kicks off at 17.00 UK time at the Stadio Carlo Castellani in Empoli.
Napoli did not let the World Cup break disrupt their momentum and they came out swinging in the new year, winning all but one of their league outings. Luciano Spalletti’s side sit 15 points clear at the top of the table heading into this weekend, allowing them to already start planning their Scudetto celebrations.
The Partenopei’s only absence is forward Giacomo Raspadori, out with a muscle issue.
Empoli have shown their desire to play a positive brand of football this season and they managed to upset Simone Inzaghi’s Inter last month, edging out a 1-0 win at San Siro. The team sit comfortably in the mid-table, 11 points clear of the relegation zone.
The Tuscan outfit cannot count on Mattia Destro and Nicolo Cambiaghi, both out injured.
Earlier in the season, Napoli cruised to a relaxed 2-0 win over Empoli, a result they’ll be hoping to replicate.
Probable line-ups for Empoli vs Napoli
Empoli (4-3-1-2): Vicario; Ebuehi, Ismajili, Luperto, Parisi; Henderson, Marin, Haas; Baldanzi; Satriano, Caputo.
Napoli (4-3-3): Meret; Di Lorenzo, Kim, Rrahmani, Mario Rui; Anguissa, Lobotka, Zielinski; Lozano, Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia.