Preview: Napoli vs. Frosinone - prediction, team news, lineups

Kicking off their Coppa Italia campaign in the last 16, Italian champions Napoli host Frosinone at Stadio Maradona on Tuesday.

The Scudetto holders have made an unconvincing defence of their Serie A title, but they are through to the Champions League's knockout phase and a cup quarter-final against either Juventus or Salernitana is now up for grabs.

Match preview

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Well adrift of Italy's top two approaching the midpoint of the season, Napoli may not harbour much hope of catching Juventus or Inter Milan, but they can still secure more silverware this season.

Having recently beaten Braga to progress in Europe's top club competition, the Partenopei now turn their attention to the Coppa Italia - a trophy they most recently won in 2014, and have done so five times in all.

Due to continental commitments, Napoli were spared participation in the cup's earlier rounds, and they now aim to improve on last year's loss in the last 16, when they were shocked by Serie A strugglers Cremonese, being knocked out on penalties.

Victory over Atalanta BC in Walter Mazzarri's first match following his recent return had helped lift the gloom descending over Stadio Maradona so soon after ending a three-decade Scudetto drought; however, subsequent results quickly quashed any optimism.

Three losses - including two against Inter and Juve - saw Napoli slip down the standings, but back-to-back wins in the space of four days have now slightly brightened the picture.

After seeing off Braga in Naples, Mazzarri's men battled to a 2-1 defeat of improving Cagliari last time out, when reigning Capocannoniere Victor Osimhen and last term's Serie A MVP Khvicha Kvaratskhelia struck either side of Leonardo Pavoletti's leveller.

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While their hosts may have turned a corner, Frosinone have yet to taste victory this month, with defeats to AC Milan and Lecce sandwiching a goalless draw against Torino.

On Saturday, it seemed Eusebio Di Francesco's young side would leave Via Del Mare with at least a point, but they conceded a critical second goal in the 89th minute and could not find a response.

Nonetheless, the Canarini remain safely in mid-table, having excelled on their top-flight comeback after topping Serie B last season: since losing 3-1 at home to Napoli on the opening day, they have won five times out of seven at Stadio Stirpe without being beaten again.

On the road, though, it has been a different story altogether, as Frosinone are yet to post their first away win in Serie A this term; making this week's trip to Stadio Maradona an intimidating prospect.

Having also lost all five of their top-flight meetings with Napoli in the past - conceding no less than 18 goals in the process - history is not on their side either.

After edging past Pisa and then Torino in two previous rounds of the Coppa Italia - the latter being their only away success of the season - a tougher test of their credentials now awaits.

Team News

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With one eye on Saturday's game against top-four rivals Roma, Walter Mazzarri may make several changes to his Napoli side in midweek - particularly as he has rotated sparingly since returning to Campania.

Fringe players such as Giovanni Simeone, Alessandro Zanoli and Gianluca Gaetano will all be considered for starts, with some established stars being rested.

After scoring himself and then sublimely setting up Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's second at the weekend, Victor Osimhen is likely to sit out Tuesday's cup clash, with either Simeone or Giacomo Raspadori deputising up front.

Piotr Zielinski withdrew from the squad to take on Cagliari, while Mathias Olivera and Eljif Elmas also missed out due to injury, but Mario Rui made his comeback as a second-half substitute and could be involved again.

Meanwhile, Luca Mazzitelli, Riccardo Marchizza and Real Madrid loanee Reinier are all unavailable for Frosinone; full-back Anthony Oyono limped off in Lecce last time out and is a doubt.

The visitors may turn to Napoli-owned Walid Cheddira to lead their front line at the Maradona, although Kaio Jorge started on Saturday and scored from the penalty spot.

Napoli possible starting lineup:

Gollini; Zanoli, Ostigard, Jesus, Rui; Gaetano, Lobotka, Cajuste; Lindstrom, Simeone, Raspadori

Frosinone possible starting lineup:

Cerofolini; Lirola, Okoli, Romagnoli, Monterisi; Bourabia, Barrenechea, Harroui; Baez, Cheddira, Caso

We say: Napoli 2-1 Frosinone

Packed full of promising loanees borrowed from major clubs, Frosinone's youthful side may sparkle at home, but they are far less effective on the road. Even an unfamiliar Napoli XI should therefore be capable of progressing to the Coppa quarter-finals, but it could be a close call.

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