Previously, the Partenopei had three consecutive draws against Roma, Udinese, and Lazio. As a result, at this crucial stage of the season, they've only managed to pick up 3 points out of a possible 12.

In the history of Serie A, no team under Antonio Conte's management has ever suffered five consecutive win - less matches. Thus, the former Inter coach is determined to prevent such a scenario from happening when facing his old club.

If Napoli were to lose this game, the Nerazzurri would lead by four points with 11 games left in the season. And let's not forget Atalanta BC; they're still very much in the title race.

There's no doubt about Conte's strong will to win. However, after a disappointing winter transfer window, the weaknesses in his thin squad have started to surface. So, they've got a lot to prove on Saturday evening.

Before the reverse fixture in November, which ended in a 1 - 1 draw at San Siro, both teams were in the top two positions. This time, Napoli will be playing from behind. They're once again aiming to break a dismal streak, having won only one of the last 11 league encounters between the two sides.

During that time, Inter have been beaten only once in five top-flight trips to Naples, and they will need no motivation to continue in that vein.

The Italian champions start the 27th matchday as league leaders, and for just a second time this season - the first since mid-September.

Yet, Atalanta play lowly Venezia a few hours earlier and would draw level on 57 points with a win, so there are still three horses in the race.

Last week, Inter bounced back from defeat to Juventus in the Derby d'Italia, beating Genoa 1-0 thanks to a late goal from captain Lautaro Martinez before going through to the Coppa Italia semi-finals.

Setting up a seismic clash with Milan, the Nerazzurri scored with both of their two shots on target to eliminate Lazio; though they lost last month's Supercoppa final to their city rivals, a potential treble is still up for grabs.

Simone Inzaghi's side not only have their noses ahead in the Scudetto race but are also set to meet Milan's conquerors Feyenoord in the Champions League's last 16, so it could yet be an historic year for the black-and-blue half of Italy's second city.

Due to a lack of fit and in-form wingers, Antonio Conte recently switched to his preferred 3-5-2 formation - which he implemented so well at Inter - and Napoli should set up that way again this weekend.

Conte's decision to bench Frank Anguissa in Como backfired, as Napoli's midfield mainstay did avoid the booking that would have meant a one-match ban but then appeared as a substitute and was injured. David Neres and Pasquale Mazzocchi are also unavailable.

Bournemouth loanee Philip Billing is poised to fill for Anguissa, joining Stanislav Lobotka and Scott McTominay in the hosts' engine room.

Meanwhile, up front, Giacomo Raspadori should partner Romelu Lukaku, who scored 57 goals in 97 Serie A appearances for Inter between 2019 and 2023.

Over the past six years, only Lautaro Martinez has hit double figures in more different seasons than Lukaku; however, 'El Toro' has scored just once in six away matches versus Napoli - back in January 2020. His strike partner Marcus Thuram is now fully fit and should start, as Inter's cup strikers Marko Arnautovic and Mehdi Taremi return to the bench.

Matteo Darmian has been ruled out by a thigh strain, joining fellow wing-backs Carlos Augusto and Nicola Zalewski on the sidelines, while first-choice goalkeeper Yann Sommer will not return for another two weeks.

Featuring in the visitors' midfield, Hakan Calhanoglu converted a penalty against Lazio in midweek and has scored in two of his last three league games against Napoli - in this term's reverse fixture and at the Maradona last season.

Napoli possible starting lineup:

Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Buongiorno; Politano, Billing, Lobotka, McTominay, Spinazzola; Raspadori, Lukaku

Inter Milan possible starting lineup:

J. Martinez; Pavard, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, L. Martinez