European preview: Barcelona aim to pull clear & Napoli backed for title
Napoli bid to keep their Serie A title charge going when they take on third-placed Atalanta.
Antonio Conte’s side are unbeaten in 10 games, winning nine of those, and will be hoping to maintain or extend their four-point lead over Inter Milan on Sunday (11:30 GMT).
“This is what Antonio Conte does in Italy,” said Italian football expert James Horncastle.
“If we go back to matchday one, they lost 3-0 at Hellas Verona. The transfer window was still open, he hadn’t got some of the players he really wanted, like Scott McTominay – ‘McTomadona’ – and Billy Gilmour.
“Once McTominay integrated he has been very useful playing off Romelu Lukaku, he has the engine to be in a midfield three but also has the energy to break behind Lukaku.
“And they have arguably one of the best dribblers in the world in Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. I think they will win the league. Napoli are looking very good.”
But Atalanta, who have Serie A top scorer Mateo Retegui, have only lost once since August and a win would take them to within three points of the leaders.
Second-placed Inter host struggling Venezia at 19:45 GMT.
Juventus – who are unbeaten but have drawn six of their 10 games – visit Udinese on Saturday (17:00 GMT).
