Napoli face Empoli at the Stadio San Paolo on Sunday morning and they will be hoping to earn the three points that will maintain their position at the head of the pack of teams chasing after Serie A's third Champions League place.

Juventus and Roma are already moving clear at the top and Napoli have fallen off the pace courtesy of too many draws but Rafa Benitez and his men will be happy if they can secure third place and get another shot at Champions League qualification.

Scoring goals hasn't been a problem but they have let themselves down at the back at times and may regret 3-3 draws at home to Palermo and Cagliari. Napoli have recovered well after losing two of their first three games to go ten games unbeaten although only five of those were wins. 

Napoli will be without Kalidou Koulibaly who is suspended and Lorenzo Insigne, Juan Zuniga and Michu who are injured. Koulibaly has been outstanding this season and will be missed but Henrique isn't a bad option to bring in as cover.

Empoli come into this game in good form having picked up seven points from their last three games to move up to thirteenth in Serie A. That run includes wins over Lazio at home and Parma away. Empoli have only lost two away games but three of them were draws and they've only won once away from the Stadio Carlo Castellani

They go to Naples without Vincent Laurini and Tiberio Guarente who are injured. Elseid Hysaj will continue at right back in the absence of Laurini.

Napoli will expect to pick up all three points but Empoli have improved greatly in recent weeks and will have confidence that they can do enough to earn what would be a very good point. 

Probable Lineups

Napoli - Cabral; Maggio, Henrique, Albiol, Ghoulam; Inler, Lopez; Callejon, Hamsik, Mertens; Higuain.

Empoli - Sepe; Hysaj, Rugani, Tonelli, Rui; Valdifiori, Croce, Vecino, Verdi; Maccarone, Pucciarelli. 

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About the author
Gerry Johnston
Cover Spanish and Italian football for VAVEL UK.