Having been thwarted in their attempt to re-take the Serie A summit, faltering Napoli visit Hellas Verona at Stadio Bentegodi on Sunday, needing a win to boost their Scudetto hopes.
Just one win in their last six all told leaves the Partenopei out of both Europe and the Coppa Italia, and trailing in the title race, while Verona have continued to impress - going unbeaten in four games since the start of February.
Match preview
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In a tussle for the leadership of Serie A last weekend, Napoli were edged out on home turf by an instinctive Olivier Giroud strike that gave Milan what may prove to be a crucial victory when the silverware is handed out in May.
Though Luciano Spalletti's side pushed hard for an equaliser, they could not find a way past their visitors' stubborn defence and now trail both Milan clubs at the top of the standings.
With in-form Juventus also closing in - now sitting just four points behind - Napoli can afford few more slip-ups if they are to finally return the Scudetto to Campania after more than three decades.
Reports of fierce dressing room exchanges in the aftermath of their loss at Stadio Maradona indicates that the Partenopei still retain enough fight to maintain their challenge, and they will hope to continue a superb run of form on the road this Sunday.
Napoli have lost only one of their last 18 away games in the top flight (winning on 13 occasions), and that came against Inter in November. Also averaging two goals per game during that time, they were successful on their most recent away trip to Lazio, so they will travel to Veneto expecting to return home with three points.
Held to a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture with Verona, though, their title credentials will surely be put to the test against one of Calcio's most entertaining sides.
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Unbeaten in their last three league games against Sunday's visitors, Verona are sure to fancy their chances of extending that streak this weekend, given their form over recent weeks.
In 2022, Hellas have gained the fourth-most points in Serie A - 17 in nine matches - behind only Juventus, Milan and Napoli; scoring the league's joint-most goals into the bargain.
Their improvement under head coach Igor Tudor has seen the ninth-placed Gialloblu pick up 26 points from 14 home matches in the current campaign - exactly the same tally as title-chasing Napoli have managed - while finding the net at a rate of more than two goals per game.
That also means they have already surpassed their 2020-21 mark of 24 points throughout the whole season at the Bentegodi, so home advantage clearly sees them lift their game.
A point away to Fiorentina last week helped the Scaligeri further consolidate their top-half spot, and though European qualification remains an improbable long-shot, Tudor has placed no limits on their ambition.
Having posted their best points tally after 28 games since 1995, Hellas fear no-one and will relish their role as underdogs on Sunday.
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Team News
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Bolstering their hopes of a ninth home win of the season, Verona will have influential attacking midfielder Antonin Barak back in the fold following a hip problem which kept him out last weekend.
However, Miguel Veloso and Kevin Lasagna remain doubtful, and Darko Lazovic is ruled out with a thigh strain. Therefore, Fabio Depaoli could replace the latter on the hosts' left flank in Igor Tudor's favoured 3-4-2-1 formation.
Centre-forward Giovanni Simeone - who has previously scored four goals in 11 Serie A games against Napoli - has netted 11 of his 15 league goals this season on home soil.
After several weeks beset by destabilising injuries, Napoli's injury woes have recently eased, so Luciano Spalletti should only have back-up goalkeeper Alex Meret and defensive reserves Kevin Malcuit and Axel Tuanzebe sidelined on Sunday.
The visitors' captain Lorenzo Insigne would become the first forward since 2010 to reach 250 wins with one Serie A club if he leads his side to victory. However, he starts on the bench due to a thigh problem.
Up front, top scorer Victor Osimhen is supported by Hirving Lozano and Matteo Politano from the flanks.
Hellas Verona possible starting lineup:
Montipo; Ceccherini, Gunter, Casale; Faraoni, Tameze, Ilic, Depaoli; Barak, Caprari; Simeone
Napoli possible starting lineup:
Ospina; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Koulibaly, Rui; Lobotka, Anguissa, Ruiz; Politano, Osimhen, Lozano
We say: Hellas Verona 2-2 Napoli
The last Serie A draw between Hellas Verona and Napoli at the Bentegodi was back in 1988, but that may well be the result this time around, as the hosts tend to excel on home soil and their visitors are resilient on the road.
It could be an entertaining encounter, too, with Napoli forced to push for a win and their opponents well capable of striking on the counter.
Top tip
Jonathan O'Shea
Data Analysis
Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Napoli win with a probability of 51.97%. A win for Hellas Verona had a probability of 24.48% and a draw had a probability of 23.6%.
The most likely scoreline for a Napoli win was 0-1 with a probability of 9.83%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 1-2 (9.72%) and 0-2 (8.61%). The likeliest Hellas Verona win was 1-0 (6.33%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (11.09%). The actual scoreline of 1-2 was predicted with a 9.7% likelihood. Our data analysis correctly predicted that Napoli would win this match.
