Just few years back, not too many football fans would have paid a lot of attention to this clash, but with both Napoli and Udinese showing massive potential of late, the game at San Paolo is the pick of the round in Serie A.

Walter Mazzarri’s machinery has encountered a small dip in form following a good start to the season, with team’s showings in last three games well below the expected standard.

After losing at home to Parma, Napoli were lucky to avoid defeat in their Champions League clash with Bayern, but a goalless draw away to Cagliari can be seen as a step in the right direction.

The Partenopei now need to prove their worth against Serie A leaders and possible title rivals, and even though they are in for a difficult task, Napoli are seen as favourites, with Stan James paying 2.10 (11/10) on home win.

Walter Mazzarri’s main worry at the moment is that his attacking trio Hamsik-Lavezzi-Cavani is playing well below the expectations, having failed to register a single goal between them in last three games.

All three players are, nevertheless, expected in the starting line-up, just like Blerim Dzemaili, who will replace injured Walter Gargano. Goran Pandev, Miguel Britos and Marco Donadel also miss out.

Probable starting line-up (3-4-2-1): De Sanctis – Fernandez, Cannavaro, Aronica – Maggio, Inler, Dzemaili, Dossena – Hamsik, Lavezzi – Cavani.

We cannot really say that Udinese are the surprise package of the season given that the Zebrette got us used to impressive results last season, but to see Francesco Guidolin’s side at the Serie A summit is definitely surprising.

Unlike last season, when they were scoring goals for fun and conceding quite a few as well, the Friulani are much more cautious this term, with the new approach producing excellent results.

Not only did Udinese pick up 15 points from first 7 games, but they conceded just one goal in the process, so there are no doubts that Napoli strikers will be in for a difficult task on Wednesday night.

Seeing that the Partenopei are misfiring at the moment, the odds of 4.00 (3/1) offered by Paddy Power on Udinese to keep a clean sheet represent a great value.

Giampiero Pinzi returns to the starting line-up after serving a suspension, but Dusan Basta and Paulo Baretto remain sidelined.

Probable starting line-up (3-5-1-1): Handanovic – Benatia, Danilo Domizzi – Isla, Pinzi, Asamoah, Badu, Armero – Torje – Di Natale.