Confirmed lineups for Napoli v Empoli

Napoli host 18th-placed Empoli at the Diego Armando Maradona with the sole target of bagging a victory that will bring them back within three points of Italian top-flight leaders Inter, who brought themselves six clear after their 3-1 win against Cagliari on Saturday.

The 'Partenopei' failed to capitalise on Inter blowing a 2-0 lead at Parma to draw 2-2, as they were held to a 1-1 draw with Bologna last time out in Serie A. But having sealed 2-1 wins against both Fiorentina and Milan in front of their supporters, they now strive to secure a third straight on home soil.

Nevertheless, the title contenders' failure to keep a clean sheet in their last five matches at the Maradona should give Empoli some confidence going into their trip to southern Italy. A win for the Tuscany side would bring them to safety for at least a week, leapfrogging Lecce in 17th.

But Empoli's struggles this term leave them with slimmer chances of hurting their upcoming hosts. Having lost eight fixtures in a row away from home, Roberto D'Aversa's men will look to rely on their positive record against Napoli. Empoli have beaten Napoli 1-0 in each of their last three encounters.

In terms of team news, Antonio Conte is missing Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa due to suspension for yellow card accumulation. Elsewhere, Alessandro Buongiorno, Leonardo Spinazzola and Nikita Contini are all sidelined with injuries.

On the other hand, Empoli have a plethora of injury worries to contend with: Ardian Ismajli, Christian Kouame, Marco Silvestri, Nicolas Haas, Pietro Pellegri, Saba Sazonov, Szymon Zurkowski, Youssef Maleh, and Tino Anjorin are all out with injuries.

Napoli's starting XI (4-3-3): Meret (GK); Mazzocchi, Rrahmani, Juan Jesus, Olivera; McTominay, Lobotka, Gilmour; Politano, Lukaku, Neres.

Empoli's starting XI (3-4-2-1): Vasquez (GK); Goglichidze, Marianucci, Viti; Gyasi, Grassi, Henderson, Pezzella; Fazzini, Cacace; Esposito.