Prediction: Napoli vs Empoli

Verdict: Total home goals over 1.5

Best odds: 1/2

Bookmaker: 888sport

Looking to secure a third consecutive victory at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Napoli host 18th-placed Empoli in Monday’s Serie A clash, with the clear aim of collecting all three points in their gameweek 32 fixture.

Antonio Conte’s side were held to a 1-1 draw by Bologna last time out and failed to take advantage of Inter Milan’s 2-2 slip at Parma, but they now turn their focus to overcoming an injury-depleted Empoli side, who could climb out of the relegation zone with a surprise win in Naples.

Napoli

While Napoli managed to end Bologna’s six-game winning streak at the Dall’Ara on Monday, they failed to capitalise on Inter’s stumble at Parma, leaving them three points adrift of the reigning champions in second place.

Though Bologna are no easy opponents on home soil, the result highlighted Napoli’s ongoing inconsistency since the start of February, despite closing January with a seventh consecutive win—a 2-1 triumph over Juventus.

Conte’s men have secured only two wins in their last nine Serie A outings, both of which came at the Maradona in 2-1 victories over Fiorentina and AC Milan. Now, they aim to make it three home wins in a row for the third time this season.

With Inter playing earlier in the weekend—hosting 15th-placed Cagliari—Napoli could either find themselves six points behind or with another opportunity to narrow the gap, adding further weight to Monday’s encounter in front of their home fans.

However, Napoli’s struggles to keep clean sheets at the Maradona—conceding in each of their last five games there—may offer Empoli a glimmer of hope. Conte’s side have picked up three 2-1 wins against Juventus, Fiorentina, and Milan, alongside 1-1 draws with Udinese and Inter during that run.

Team News

Napoli will have to cope without captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo and midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, both suspended after collecting yellow cards in the Bologna draw.

Injuries have also sidelined Alessandro Buongiorno (muscle), Leonardo Spinazzola, and Nikita Contini, while Alex Meret, who missed the last match through illness, will be assessed ahead of Monday. Simone Scuffet is ready to step in again if needed.

Up front, Romelu Lukaku—who has netted 11 times this season—remains a key figure, with no player scoring more match-winning goals in Serie A this term than the Belgian’s six. He’ll be eager to deliver another decisive moment in gameweek 32.

Empoli

Adding to Empoli’s belief ahead of Monday’s clash is their recent success at the Maradona, having secured back-to-back 1-0 wins there in the 2021-22 and 2023-24 seasons, with a 2-0 Napoli victory sandwiched in between.

Roberto D’Aversa will therefore hope for another inspired display from his side in Naples, as a third win in four visits could lift the Azzurri out of the bottom three.

Currently sitting 18th, Empoli trail Lecce by two points with seven games left and could climb above them depending on the outcome of Lecce’s meeting with Juventus in Turin this weekend.

While a Juventus win is a feasible scenario, Empoli must first take care of business themselves by upsetting Napoli’s title charge with a surprise result.

However, their chances are hampered by a poor away run – eight matches without a win on the road, including five defeats – which makes a positive outcome all the more challenging.

Team News

D’Aversa is also facing a lengthy injury list: Tino Anjorin’s muscle issue remains under evaluation, while Ardian Ismajli (thigh), Christian Kouame (knee), Marco Silvestri (finger), Nicolas Haas (knee), Pietro Pellegri (knee), Saba Sazonov (knee), Szymon Zurkowski (knee), and Youssef Maleh (knee) are all sidelined.

In attack, Sebastiano Esposito – Empoli’s top scorer with eight goals – has outshone Lorenzo Colombo’s tally of five, although Colombo has netted two match-winners compared to Esposito’s one.

The duo’s importance to the struggling side is evident: Esposito has had a hand in 33.3% of Empoli’s 24 league goals, while Colombo has been involved in 20.8% heading into the crucial match in Naples.

Conclusion

Let’s face it, any result other than a comfortable home win at the Maradona on Monday would be a huge surprise. Conte and his men, chasing the Scudetto, surely realize the importance of winning games against teams close to the bottom of the table. Add Empoli’s injury problems to the mix, and the Partenopei triumph appears almost inevitable.

The only issue is, will Napoli manage to break thee hoodoo that has kept them from winning by more than one goal margin in four of their last five wins at home. This is probably the perfect opportunity to do so.

Verdict: Total home goals over 1.5

Best odds: 1/2

Bookmaker: 888sport