Max Allegri's men bounced back from last Saturday’s 1-0 defeat by Milan with a convincing 4-1 victory over Sampdoria in midweek; Juventus, who are aiming to win the Scudetto for the sixth season in a row, remain top of the table as a result, with two points separating them from second-placed Roma after 10 matches. The Bianconeri have not really hit their stride yet this term, at least in terms of performances, but it is a rather ominous sign for the rest of the division that they have continued to pick up points despite being far from their best in many of the games they have contested.
Napoli have also staged a recovery of late, recording back-to-back triumphs over Crotone and Empoli following three straight losses to Atalanta, Roma and Besiktas. Maurizio Sarri’s charges have had a positive start to the campaign overall: despite the summer sale of star man Gonzalo Higuain to Juventus, the southern side are just four points off the top after six wins and two draws from their first 10 encounters. A serious injury sustained by Arek Milik – Higuain’s replacement who had hit the ground running in Naples – is a major blow, though, and Sarri’s men’s title hopes are likely to suffer as a result.
Juventus will again be without Croatian winger Marko Pjaca, while the superb Argentine attacker Paulo Dybala is sidelined with a thigh injury. Allegri will probably stick with the 3-5-2 formation he has used in recent weeks – although Juve do have the capacity to play with four men across the backline – with Juan Cuadrado set to keep his place at right-wing-back after a terrific showing against Sampdoria. Higuain will be partnered up front by Mario Mandzukic, with the midfield likely to be made up of Sami Khedira, Miralem Pjanic and Claudio Marchisio, who returned from injury in the last few days.
Manolo Gabbiadini is available once more following his one-match suspension, but Dries Mertens will probably continue up top after a fine display against Empoli on Wednesday night. At the other end of the pitch, Sarri will have to make do without Raul Albiol, which means Vlad Chiriches will partner Kalidou Koulibaly in the heart of the defence, with Elseid Hysaj and Faouzi Ghoulam set to play at full-back. Captain Marek Hamsik is likely to return in midfield after being rested in midweek.
It is probably worth backing Juventus to come out on top on Saturday night, with Allegri’s side a formidable proposition in front of their own supporters – the Old Lady have won each of their last 21 home games in Serie A, a run which stretches back to September 2015. Juve will look to dominate possession and play on the front foot against one of their main challengers for the title, and Napoli may find it difficult to trouble one of the tightest backlines in European football.
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