Top 3 contenders Napoli will be desperate to end a four-match winless run when they host bottom-placed Parma on Thursday evening.

Meanwhile, I Ducali need to try and close the gap behind safety and they have no choice but to try and surprise the Azzurri at Stadio San Paolo.

Even if they remain mere two points behind Champions League positions, Napoli have no reason for optimism at the moment given that they were hoping to mount a serious title challenge.

However, Rafael Benitez’s side desperately struggled for consistency this season, and are in real problems following the 2-0 loss to AC Milan.

The Azzurri may have qualified for the Europa League knockout stages, but it goes without saying that the Serie A campaign has the priority.

Napoli haven’t been too impressive at their Stadio San Paolo of late, sharing spoils with Cagliari and Empoli, but they are 1.36 (4/11) to see off Parma on Thursday.

Rafael Benitez will have Christian Maggio back to the side, but Raul Albiol misses out through suspension having picked up his fourth yellow card.

Meanwhile, there has been no improvement on the injury front, with Camilo Zuniga, Michu and Lorenzo Insigne still sidelined.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Rafael – Maggio, Koulibaly, Britos, Ghoulam – Lopez, Inler – Callejon, Hamsik, Mertens – Higuain.

This is without a doubt the most difficult season in Parma’s recent history as the club are going through serious financial difficulty and currently sit at Serie A rock bottom.

Having been slapped with a one-point penalty, I Ducali are currently seven points behind safety, and they desperately need a morale-boosting win to kick-start their season.

Parma had a perfect opportunity to do so against fellow strugglers Cagliari, but they could only muster a goalless draw last weekend.

Given the severity of their situation, I Ducali need to adopt a positive approach at Stadio San Paolo, meaning both teams to score bet should be considered at 2.15 (23/20).

Massimo Gobbi returns to the side from suspension, but Cristobal Jorquera is the latest footballer to have been added to the infirmary.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Biabiany, Mattia Cassani, Massimo Coda and Abdelkader Ghezzal remain on the sidelines through injury.

Probable starting line-up (3-5-2): Mirante – Santacrocce, Paletta, Lucarelli – Rispoli, Acquah, Lodi, Mauri, Gobbi – Cassano, Palladino.