Engaged in a multi-club battle for top spot, Napoli will continue their quest to regain the Serie A title on Sunday afternoon, when they visit Torino.

While the Azzurri are flying high after beating Roma last week, Toro have produced just one goal and one point from their last four matches.

Match preview

Rising back to the Serie A summit, Napoli spoiled Claudio Ranieri's emotional return to the Roma hotseat last week, with a 1-0 victory in this season's first Derby del Sole.

Having dominated both possession and territory throughout the clubs' contest at Stadio Maradona, Antonio Conte's side were rewarded when ex-Roma striker Romelu Lukaku converted a Giovanni Di Lorenzo cross early in the second half.

Following their latest success, Napoli have kept eight clean sheets so far, which is only fewer than shutout specialists Juventus (10) across Europe's top five leagues; in fact, they have conceded just once in the first half of away games, ahead of travelling to Turin.

One of six teams separated by four points in a congested Scudetto race, the Azzurri have now won eight of nine home fixtures in league and cup since Conte took charge, but - despite a fine defensive record - they have been slightly less successful on the road.

There is now an opportunity to improve their away form, as after tackling Torino they must meet Lazio in Rome, with a place in the Coppa Italia quarter-finals at stake.

Although Napoli lost their most recent encounter with Toro at Stadio Olimpico Grande - going down 3-0 in January - they had won on seven of their previous eight visits and will start as strong favourites.

Torino actually went unbeaten against Napoli last season, after a prior run of five consecutive defeats, so they can now try to go three without losing to their Campanian counterparts for the first time since 2012.

However, recent form suggests that may be a tall order, as Paolo Vanoli's team last tasted success in October and have slipped into the bottom half of the Serie A standings.

After accruing 11 points across the first five matchdays, Torino took just four from the next eight: only rock-bottom Venezia have collected as few during that period.

Having entered the last international break on a run of three straight defeats - including another Derby della Mole loss to city rivals Juventus - the Granata were held to a 1-1 draw by lowly Monza last weekend.

Already eliminated from the Coppa Italia after losing at home to Empoli, Vanoli's men are lacking in both goals and confidence; and when meeting his former Italy and Chelsea colleague Conte, the ex-Venezia boss will expect no favours.

Team News

Napoli's only absentee should be reserve full-back Pasquale Mazzocchi, who sustained a leg injury last time out, so Antonio Conte may name an unchanged starting XI on Sunday.

Free from the need to rotate after the Azzurri missed out on European qualification last season, he has generally named the same back four, while Scott McTominay supports a familiar front three with runs from midfield.

Reported Manchester United target and chief creator Khvicha Kvaratskhelia joins Matteo Politano and Romelu Lukaku in the final third, with the latter hoping to add to his tally of nine Serie A goal involvements against Torino.

Alessandro Buongiorno - who came through Toro's primavera, before making 99 league appearances for the club - will helm the visitors' defence on his return to Stadio Olimpico Grande.

Perr Schuurs and Duvan Zapata - who are at different stages of recovering from an ACL injury - are unavailable for the hosts, but Ivan Ilic may be back in the squad following a hamstring problem.

In attack, Che Adams should link up with Antonio Sanabria, who has scored in three of his last four appearances against Napoli in Serie A, including both games last season.

Torino possible starting lineup:
Milinkovic-Savic; Walukiewicz, Coco, Masina; Pedersen, Vlasic, Ricci, Gineitis, Lazaro; Adams, Sanabria

Napoli possible starting lineup:
Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Buongiorno, Olivera; Anguissa, Lobotka; Politano, McTominay, Kvaratskhelia; Lukaku

We say: Torino 0-1 Napoli

Torino and Napoli have both recorded four victories by a one-goal margin this season - only Lazio had more after 13 Serie A matches - so it could be a closely fought contest.

As the away side are proving so difficult to beat - and Toro have slumped badly since the end of September - expect Conte and co to leave Turin with maximum points.


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