Udinese broke a streak of five matches without a win last week, while Napoli halted their momentum after two consecutive victories over Roma and Torino. Udinese hasn’t defeated Napoli since April 3, 2016. Since then, they have suffered 13 losses and recorded three draws. However, what concerns Napoli coach Antonio Conte is that three of the last five meetings in Udine ended in 1-1 draws, and sharing points today would be tantamount to a loss for Napoli. Conte has an excellent record against Udinese: nine wins and two draws without a single loss. Ahead of today’s match, he has demanded focus from his players and emphasized the need to show they are mentally prepared to chase the Scudetto.Lukaku: ‘I cried every day after the World Cup’Napoli is struggling with efficiency in front of goal. In their last nine matches, Antonio Conte’s team has scored more than one goal only against AC Milan. The Azzurri’s weaknesses would have been more apparent if their defense hadn’t been nearly flawless during the same period, conceding no goals in six of those nine matches. Overall, Napoli has only the seventh-best attack in Serie A, with 21 goals scored.Lukaku brings more despair to RomaLukaku has scored just five goals in the current championship, the same as Lorenzo Lucca from Udinese. The Belgian striker has Udinese as his third-favorite target in Serie A, having scored five goals against them so far. He has been more lethal only against Genoa (seven goals) and Sassuolo (six goals). There’s no doubt that Lukaku will be expected to carry the team on his shoulders tonight in Kvaratskhelia’s absence. The Georgian will be replaced by Neres, and Conte will not make significant changes to either the formation or tactics. On the bench for Udinese tonight, Alexis Sánchez will take charge after 13 years. The Chilean has recovered and is likely to make an appearance in the second half. Napoli has traveled to Udine without Kvaratskhelia, Folorunsho, and Machach, while the hosts will be without Davis, Okoye, Pajer, Pizarro, and Zaragoza.SERIE A – MATCHDAY 15FridayEmpoli – Torino 0-1 (0-0)/Adams 70/Saturday17:00: (5.90) Cagliari (4.00) Atalanta (1.58)20:00: (4.90) Udinese (3.60) Napoli (1.85)22:45: (1.35) Juventus (4.90) Venezia (9.50)Sunday14:30: (2.50) Lecce (3.20) Monza (3.20)17:00: (2.70) Bologna (3.05) Fiorentina (2.80)17:00: (1.90) Parma (3.80) Verona (4.20)20:00: (3.45) Como (3.45) Roma (2.25)22:45: (1.37) Milan (4.80) Genoa (9.00)Monday22:45: (3.40) Lazio (3.50) Inter (2.25)***odds are subject to change***
