The Napoli injury crisis drags on, although some stars are available on the bench against an Empoli side with an excellent away record.
Lorenzo Insigne, Hirving Lozano and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa are back in the squad, but not ready to start, so options remain very limited after Thursday’s 3-2 Europa League win over Leicester City. Coach Luciano Spalletti is again in the stands, as his appeal against a two-match touchline ban for insulting the referee was rejected.
Empoli boss Aurelio Andreazzoli was assistant manager to Spalletti at Roma, so they know each other very well. The Tuscans have caused a few upsets already this season against bigger clubs and could relish a weakened Napoli defence.
Form Guide: Napoli (L D W L D) Empoli (W D W L D)
Stat fact: Napoli are the only side in Europe’s top five leagues with four players scoring at least five goals (Piotr Zielinski, Dries Mertens, Victor Osimhen and Fabian Ruiz).
Probable line-ups
Napoli (4-2-3-1): Ospina; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Juan Jesus, Mario Rui; Demme, Zielinski; Politano, Ounas, Elmas; Mertens
Suspended: None
Injured: Osimhen, Zanoli, Koulibaly, Fabian Ruiz, Lobotka
On a yellow card: Anguissa, Mario Rui
Empoli (4-3-1-2): Vicario; Stojanovic, Romagnoli, Luperto, Parisi; Haas, Ricci, Zurkowski; Bajrami; Cutrone, Pinamonti
Suspended: None
Injured: None
On a yellow card: Luperto