Napoli vs. Udinese | Serie A | Pre Match

After their closest title rivals slipped up in midweek, Napoli will aim to move six points clear at the top of Serie A when they meet Udinese on Sunday. The league leaders were denied an eighth straight win by a late leveller last week, but they can still pull away from the pack with victory at Stadio Maradona.

After recording seven successive wins in Serie A, Napoli were on course to extend that streak in the Derby del Sole, leading Roma by one goal in second-half stoppage time thanks to Leonardo Spinazzola's fine first-half strike. However, the Giallorossi sent their home fans wild by producing a dramatic equaliser at Stadio Olimpico - meaning that Inter Milan could claim top spot by winning their postponed game against Fiorentina.

For that reason, Inter's shock 3-0 defeat was widely celebrated in Naples, where dreams of a second Scudetto in three seasons are inching closer to reality. A winner of several trophies as player and coach, Napoli boss Antonio Conte has rejuvenated the squad that put up such a tame defense of their title last term - although they may even have been weakened during a disappointing transfer window. Never known for keeping a lid on such frustrations, Conte must now put his club's failure to replace Khvicha Kvaratskhelia behind him, as the race for first place continues.

Having won nine times and kept six clean sheets in 11 top-flight home games this season, Napoli will expect to continue in a similar vein this weekend. The club's home form has been a cornerstone of their title challenge, and they certainly have history on their side, with a recent record of 10 consecutive Serie A wins over Udinese at Stadio Maradona, while averaging 3.1 goals per game. All told, Udinese are winless across the clubs' last 17 league meetings, of which they have lost no fewer than 14.

The Friulani therefore make the long trip south with precedent heavily stacked against them - in addition to recent form. Last weekend, after three draws and two defeats, Udinese finally tasted victory for the first time since before Christmas, beating relegation-threatened Venezia 3-2. Having almost slipped up by frittering away a two-goal lead - earned by strikes from Sandi Lovric and main marksman Lorenzo Lucca - the Bianconeri still claimed maximum points via Iker Bravo's clever finish.

Manager Kosta Runjaic and his side could now record back-to-back wins for the first time since September - though results on the road have proved elusive of late. Udinese have lost five of their last nine Serie A away fixtures - as many defeats as they suffered throughout the previous 18 - and they now face one of the toughest tests in Calcio. Their struggles away from home reflect an ongoing difficulty in maintaining consistency, especially against top-tier opposition.

Following more than a month on the sidelines, Napoli could recall key defender Alessandro Buongiorno this weekend; although Juan Jesus may still start alongside Amir Rrahmani, with Buongiorno making a substitute appearance. Therefore, Antonio Conte's lone absentee is left-back Mathias Olivera, who has been ruled out until next month by a calf injury.

Leading the hosts' attack, Romelu Lukaku has found the net six times in eight Serie A games against Udinese; new loan signing Noah Okafor should be named on the bench. Lukaku’s presence has been vital for Napoli this season, offering a blend of power and technical ability that few defenders can handle. His ability to hold up play and bring teammates into attacking moves has made him a focal point of Conte’s offensive strategy.

Since the start of last season, Udinese's star man Lorenzo Lucca has scored 17 goals, with eight coming via his head. Once again, the towering striker spearheads the Friulani's front line, while Alexis Sanchez and Florian Thauvin compete to partner him. Udinese’s ability to utilize Lucca’s aerial dominance will be crucial, especially against a Napoli defense that has at times struggled with physical forwards.

Another forward, Keinan Davis, has returned to full training - alongside wing-back Kingsley Ehizibue - and Swedish midfielder Jesper Karlstrom is back from suspension. However, Isaak Toure, Lautaro Giannetti, and first-choice goalkeeper Maduka Okoye are still unavailable. These absences could prove costly against a Napoli side that thrives on capitalizing on defensive vulnerabilities.

Napoli will be eager to get back to winning ways after their draw with Roma and capitalize on Inter’s slip-up. With home advantage and an attacking lineup featuring Lukaku, Piotr Zielinski, and Matteo Politano, they will be expected to take the game to Udinese from the outset. Meanwhile, Udinese will likely adopt a more cautious approach, aiming to stay compact defensively while looking for counter-attacking opportunities through Lucca and Sanchez.

As the Serie A title race intensifies, Napoli’s ability to maintain composure and grind out results will be tested. Conte’s experience in high-pressure situations could prove invaluable as the season enters its defining months. For Udinese, any points gained from this fixture would be a huge boost in their bid to steer clear of relegation danger. However, history and form suggest that Napoli remain heavy favorites to secure all three points and take another step closer to reclaiming the Scudetto.