Today, Napoli’s attack will be led by Victor Osimhen as they attempt to get back on track against Atalanta BC, who will start in-form attacker Ademola Lookman.
Both teams have overtaken the traditional Calcio giants in the first third of the season, and they are now separated by just five points at the top of the Serie A rankings, with the visitors having the advantage.
Since making a full recovery from his injury, Osimhen has inspired the Partenopei. If they defeat Atalanta, the 23-year-old could help Luciano Spalletti surpass his best run as Napoli’s head coach and reach his goal of nine straight victories in the Serie A.
Following his first Serie A hat-trick for Napoli against Sassuolo last Saturday, Osimhen increased his league tally to seven in eight Serie A games. He will also make his 60th league appearance for the club in this match.
Since joining the team in 2020, the Nigerian striker has scored 31 Serie A goals and contributed nine assists.
Lookman will try to help La Dea avoid back-to-back losses at the Gewiss Stadium. Lookman has adapted flawlessly to Serie A since his summer transfer from RB Leipzig, scoring five goals and dishing out three assists so far this season. In their most recent home game, they suffered a 2-0 defeat against Lazio.
Bologna, Ajax, and now Liverpool have all scored twice against the Serie A leaders in recent weeks, while Atalanta have scored in each of their previous eight league games against Napoli.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, a standout for Napoli, will miss the match because of “severe low back pain.”
Following Friday’s training session at Castel Volturno, Napoli officially announced that the 21-year-old will not be available against Atalanta on Saturday (today).
Although it is not yet certain how long Kvara will be sidelined, it is unquestionably a major setback for the Partenopei ahead of a crucial matchup against the Serie A’s second-place squad.
With six goals and seven assists in 12 league games, Kvaratskhelia has undoubtedly been Serie A’s greatest performer this season. In five Champions League games, he has also provided three assists and two goals.
If Frank Lampard uses the Everton player in the number 10 role he has been using in the last few games, Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi in the Premier League might come into direct contact.
Kelechi Iheanacho, who came off the bench in Leicester City’s 1-0 loss to Manchester City, had a promising performance and might have some role at Goodison Park.
The Toffees have two victories out of three on their home field and will go up against a team that has lost five of its past six away games despite winning its most recent away match against Wolverhampton Wanderers 4-0.
Additionally, Taiwo Awoniyi and Emmanuel Dennis, who scantily started matches together this year, might both play for Nottingham Forest against Brentford.
After three consecutive starts, Frank Onyeka was benched for Wolves’ visit last week, but the midfielder will be hoping to play at the City Ground.
Since joining the league, Forest’s home record has been dismal, but the Bees’ six-game losing streak away from home should give them more motivation to come away with a victory.
