Preview: Atalanta BC vs. Napoli

Napoli could move into Serie A's top three this week with victory over struggling Atalanta BC, who sit just one point outside of the relegation zone in Italy's top league.

The home side have collected just seven points from their eight league games this season, with that total leaving them 16th in the division.

They have also incredibly managed just three goals in their eight games – comfortably the worst record in the division.

That said, Atalanta have won three of their last five meetings with Napoli in the league, including each of their last two meetings in their own stadium.

Napoli, meanwhile, enter the match off the back of a thumping 6-2 win over Hellas Verona at the weekend. Rafael Benitez's side have taken 14 points from their eight matches to sit seventh in the table.

However, due to the closeness between second and seventh, three points for Napoli could move them above Udinese and into third position.

In total, these two sides have met 86 times in Serie A, with Napoli recording 38 wins to Atalanta's 23.

The home side have no fresh injury concerns ahead of the match and could therefore name an unchanged XI from the defeat against Udinese.

Rolando Bianchi will once again lead the line, but on-loan Juventus forward Richmond Boakye is also pushing for a start.

Napoli, meanwhile, are expected to make changes. Gonzalo Higuain and Jose Callejon will both start in attack, but Dries Mertens and Gokhan Inler are also pushing for spots in the XI.

Recent form

Atalanta: LLLWL

Napoli: WWDLW

Possible starting lineups

Atalanta: Sportiello; Brame, Biava, Benalouane, Zappacosta; Cigarini, Moralez, Carmona; D'Alessandro, Bianchi, Baselli

Napoli: Rafael; Ghoulam, Koulibaly, Albiol, Maggio; Hamsik, Inler, Lopez; Callejon, Higuain, Mertens

Sports Mole says: 0-2