After winning six of their last seven matches before the international break, Napoli will look to maintain their momentum in Sunday’s lunchtime Serie A clash, as they travel to face Empoli at Stadio Carlo Castellani.The Partenopei have thrived under new leadership, while their hosts have also shown improvement with a new manager at the helm, remaining unbeaten at home this season.Napoli’s latest outing saw them claim a 3-1 win over Como, with Scott McTominay scoring just a minute into the game. Goals from fellow summer signings Romelu Lukaku and David Neres sealed the victory, extending Napoli’s unbeaten run to six matches.With 11 different goal scorers in all competitions this season, Napoli currently lead Serie A in this metric. Across Europe’s top leagues, only Bayern Munich and Brighton & Hove Albion have managed more.Frantic San Siro battle ends in Milan’s favour thanks to ChukwuezeThis excellent form has propelled Napoli to the top of the Serie A table for the first time since their title-winning campaign in mid-2023, placing them two points ahead of defending champions Inter Milan.Antonio Conte, formerly Inter’s head coach, has already made a significant impact on the Partenopei. A victory against Empoli would give Napoli four consecutive wins for the first time since early last year, when they were on track for their long-awaited Scudetto.Napoli’s rise has been aided by significant summer investments and the absence of European commitments, allowing them to focus on domestic competitions. They also reached the Coppa Italia round of 16 with a commanding 5-0 win over Serie B’s Palermo last month.However, continuing their good form won’t be easy, as Napoli’s record at Empoli is less than stellar. They have managed to win just two of their 11 Serie A visits to Stadio Castellani.##EDITORS_CHOICE##Empoli, who defeated Napoli twice last season, have won five of their last seven top-flight meetings with the Neapolitans. They’ve also scored 30 goals against Napoli, more than they have against any other Serie A team.Before the break, Empoli saw their impressive 10-match unbeaten run across all competitions end, but they remain 10th in the standings with 10 points from seven matches.Their latest defeat, a 2-1 loss at Stadio Olimpico, came at the hands of an in-form Lazio, who scored late in both halves to overturn Sebastiano Esposito’s opener.Now, Roberto D’Aversa’s squad returns to their home ground, where they’ve played to three consecutive 0-0 draws this season — against Monza, Juventus, and Fiorentina. They could become the first Serie A team to record four straight goalless draws at home.Lukaku: ‘I cried every day after the World Cup’Empoli have proven tough to beat on their own turf, remaining undefeated in their last seven home games. As such, they might hope to slow down Napoli’s impressive run on Sunday.With Stanislav Lobotka picking up an injury while on international duty with Slovakia, Antonio Conte may call upon Billy Gilmour to join Frank Anguissa and Scott McTominay in midfield. McTominay has contributed to a goal in each of his last three club appearances.Meanwhile, left-back Mathias Olivera suffered a knock playing for Uruguay, so Leonardo Spinazzola could step in, while Elia Caprile continues to stand in for the injured starting goalkeeper Alex Meret.Probable starting XI against Empoli.📰@SkySport pic.twitter.com/PSzDz0dE1U— Napoli Zone (@TheNapoliZone) October 18, 2024 Romelu Lukaku, having worked on his fitness during the break, will lead the attack alongside Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and either Matteo Politano or David Neres.Neres has made a quick impact since arriving in Naples, averaging a goal involvement every 23 minutes. Lukaku is not far behind, with one every 45 minutes — putting them at the top in this category across Europe’s major leagues (among players with at least 90 minutes played).Empoli’s goalkeeper, Devis Vasquez — on loan from AC Milan — may be called into action again, as he boasts the highest save percentage (82%) in Serie A so far.Samuele Perisan and Tyronne Ebuehi remain unavailable, alongside long-term absentee Saba Sazonov, though Szymon Zurkowski could return from a calf injury in time to make the bench.SERIE A – MATCHDAY 8SaturdayComo – Parma 1-1 (1-1)/Paz 45 – Bonny 20/Genoa – Bologna 2-2 (0-1)/Pinamonti 73, 85 – Orsolini 37, Odgaard 56/AC Milan – Udinese 1-0 (1-0)/Chukwueze 13/Juventus – Lazio 1-0 (0-0)/Gila 85 og/Sunday13:30: (5.90) Empoli (3.70) Napoli (1.70)16:00: (3.20) Lecce (3.40) Fiorentina (2.40)16:00: (5.60) Venezia (3.90) Atalanta (1.70)19:00: (2.80) Cagliari (3.05) Torino (2.70)21:45: (4.40) Roma (3.50) Inter (1.85)Monday21:45: (2.35) Verona (3.20) Monza (3.20)***odds are subject to change***
