After ending 2024 with three straight wins, Serie A co-leaders Napoli can claim first place outright on Saturday evening, when they visit Fiorentina at Stadio Franchi.
While the Viola have started to drop points and slip down the standings, their visitors are intent on seizing top spot while Atalanta BC take part in the Supercoppa Italiana.
Match preview
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In the context of losing 12 of their last 13 away games against Juventus in Serie A, last week's 2-2 draw in Turin was something of an achievement for Fiorentina, although it continued their growing wait for a win.
After Moise Kean scored the Viola's first equaliser against his old club, Riccardo Sottil's late strike levelled matters again, keeping his side just above Juve on goal difference.
Fiorentina may sit fifth in Italy's top flight and are safely through to the Conference League's last 16, but they have now taken only one point from their last three league fixtures.
A run of eight straight victories had previously taken them into contention for top spot, but Raffaele Palladino's have since started to falter, with Udinese finally ending their long unbeaten streak on home turf just before Christmas.
The Tuscan club have not suffered consecutive league defeats at Stadio Franchi since late 2023, so they will be keen to avoid such a fate by getting back to winning ways this weekend.
However, they have failed to win their first Serie A match of the year for the past five seasons, while their most recent home win over Napoli was in 2018. On that occasion, a hat-trick by Giovanni Simeone - who will be on the opposing side this time - sealed a 3-0 success.
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Since then, Napoli have taken 12 points from a possible 18 home from the Franchi; albeit, they picked up just one from two league meetings between the teams last term.
Their other encounter during the 2023-24 campaign came at the semi-final stage of the Supercoppa Italiana, where the Azzurri won 3-0 with Simeone opening the scoring.
Twelve months on, and Napoli will watch that competition from afar, following their dismal failure to defend the Scudetto; yet, Atalanta's involvement in Saudi Arabia opens a window of opportunity for Antonio Conte's men.
With one game to go until the season's midpoint, they can move clear of La Dea - and reigning champions Inter Milan - at the Serie A summit by avoiding defeat on Saturday.
Under Conte's intense leadership, the Partenopei have accrued 41 points so far this season, and a 13-point increase from the equivalent stage last term is the most of any club still in the top flight.
In their final fixture of an eventful 2024, Napoli recorded a 1-0 home victory over Venezia - earned by a late Giacomo Raspadori goal, following Romelu Lukaku's first-half penalty miss - and they now head back out on the road to start 2025.
After losing their first away match of the season 3-0, the Campanian club have since won six of the next eight; remaining unbeaten, conceding just three goals, and keeping five clean sheets. Therefore, a trip to Florence will hold few fears.
Team News
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Although Danilo Cataldi has missed training due to an illness, Raffaele Palladino should have a full squad available on Saturday evening, so few changes to Fiorentina's starting XI are expected.
Sure to start up front, Moise Kean is Serie A's leading scorer across all competitions with 15 goals this term, but Lucas Beltran may replace Albert Gudmundsson in the Italy striker's supporting cast.
The hosts have already been busy in the winter transfer window, teeing up deals with both Buenos Aires giants: after confirming the arrival of Nicolas Valentini from Boca Juniors, fellow defender Lucas Martinez Quarta appears to be heading back in the other direction, returning to River Plate.
Midfielder Michael Folorunsho is also poised to join Palladino's squad this month, as Napoli aim to ship out some fringe players and bring in signings that could swing the Scudetto race in their favour.
Long-serving full-back Mario Rui has been released, and despite scoring last week's winner, Giacomo Raspadori has been linked with a move away; incidentally, he has played 439 minutes against Fiorentina in Serie A without ever finding the net.
Antonio Conte will again be without defensive rock Alessandro Buongiorno this weekend, in addition to first-choice wingers Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Matteo Politano.
Fiorentina possible starting lineup:
De Gea; Dodo, Comuzzo, Ranieri, Gosens; Adli, Mandragora; Colpani, Beltran, Sottil; Kean
Napoli possible starting lineup:
Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Jesus, Olivera; Anguissa, Lobotka; Neres, McTominay, Raspadori; Lukaku
We say: Fiorentina 1-1 Napoli
Fiorentina have proved tough to beat at home, so Napoli may have to make do with a point - still enough to take sole possession of the Serie A summit.
While the Viola's form has faltered, they remain a well-drilled unit that can pose some problems for the Partenopei's solid defence.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Jonathan O'Shea
