Napoli visit Genoa on Sunday afternoon seeking their sixth domestic victory on the spin. Maurizio Sarri's side have been in breathtaking form since Diego Maradona publicly castigated the former Empoli boss. Genoa, in contrast, have been floundering.
Having overseen a summer of mass exodus after the failure to obtain a UEFA license, Gianpiero Gasperini has been shredding hair on the sidelines in an attempt to strike a winning formula on a Genoa side currently languishing in the lower reaches of the Serie A table.
Form
Genoa, after their historic sixth place finish last term, have been struggling to recapture the form that aided their European quest and sit in an ominous 15th position.
However, they have remained formidable at the Marassi, surrendering only to champions Juventus this term. Inauspicious, though, has been their form on the road and the manner in which goals are being shipped. Though they displayed commendable spirit to fightback in Turin to salvage a point in midweek, they have yet to rack up a single victory away from home and have shipped six goals in their last three outings.
Napoli, in contrast, have begun to hit their stride and, since their anomalous stalemate with Carpi in September, have garnered maximum points from their last seven matches in all competitions.
They have also chalked up victories over Lazio (5-0), Milan (4-0), Fiorentina (2-1) and Juventus (2-1) while slowly repairing the frangible defence that leaked 54 goals under the stewardship of Rafa Benitez last term.
Previous meetings
History suggests a Napoli victory on Sunday afternoon with the Partenopei having triumphed in five or their last six meetings with Genoa.
Napoli recorded the double over their Genoese counterparts last time out, running out 2-1 victors in both meetings. Gonzalo Higuain, who has been in blistering form this campaign, grabbed a brace when the sides met at the San Paolo in January.
Team news
Former Napoli stars, Goran Pandev and Blerim Dzemaili, are expected to miss out while doubts persist over the availability of summer import, Diego Capel.
Napoli, meanwhile, have no fresh injury concerns ahead of the clash with Rossoblu, though Sarri may be inclined to rotate with a trip to Midtjyland on Thursday in mind. Manolo Gabbiadini, whose featured predominantly in Europe so far this term, may replace Jose Callejon.
Probable line-ups
Genoa (3-4-3): Perin; Izzo, Munoz, Maio; Laxalt, Rincon, Costa, Figueiras; Perotti, Pavoletti, Gakpe.
Napoli (4-3-3): Reina; Hysaj, Raul Albiol, Koulibaly, Ghoulam; Allan, Jorginho, Hamsik; Gabbiadini, Higuain, Insigne.
Players to look out for
Genoa - Serge Gakpe
Procured from Nantes in the summer, the Frenchman is in a rich vein of form for the Rossoblu, netting in two of his side's last three home fixtures. Deployed on the right of Gasperini's fabled 3-4-3, with license to roam inside, Gakpe has been a bright spark in an otherwise peculiar season. The forward also created an assist in his side's dramatic 3-3 draw with Torino in midweek.
Napoli - Gonzalo Higuain
Possibly the in-form player in Serie A currently, Higuain has dusted off the cobwebs of his turbulent summer in the Copa América - including the ill-fated conclusion to his club campaign last term - to help propel Napoli to the precipice of the league table. With eight goals in his last nine outings, including a goal in each of his last four appearances, the Argentine has become integral to Sarri's style of play and will be hell-bent on cementing his place atop the Capacannoniere standings by netting at the Marassi.