Napoli travel to the Stadio Alberto Braglia to face Carpi on Wednesday evening, looking to build upon an impressive week.
The Partenopei will go into the game full of confidence after their demolition of Lazio on Sunday, which saw them become top scorers in Serie A. On the back of beating Club Brugge 5-0 in midweek in the Europa League, Napoli have scored 10 goals in their last two games.
Meanwhile the Biancorossi suffered their third defeat in four at home to Fiorentina at the weekend. Fabrizio Castori’s men will go into the Napoli match evening with the worst defensive record in the division.
The two sides have never met before, as although Maurizio Sarri’s side have spent significant time outside Serie A , their time away from Italy’s top flight failed to coincide with Carpi’s ascension through the leagues.
Christian Maggio may play his 266th game for Napoli, which would bring him level with Attila Salustro in 9th spot in the all time Napoli standings. The veteran is likely, however, to start on the bench alongside Manolo Gabbiadini. The former Sampdoria striker scored his first goal of the season on Sunday, but is unlikely to dislodge either Jose Callejon or Lorenzo Insigne from the starting line-up.
Sarri will most likely be unable to call upon captain Marek Hamsik, who left the game against Lazio with an injury; David Lopez replaced him on Sunday and is set to continue to fill in.
Meanwhile, Marco Borriello, who is start the match on the bench, requires just two more goals to reach a career century in all competitions; Carpi are the thirteenth club for whom he has found the net for.
Castori will be without Luca Marrone and Kamil Wilczek; neither are likely to prove their fitness before the midweek encounter.
Form Guide: Carpi (W-L-L-D-L) Napoli (L-D-D-W-W)
Expected Starting XI
Carpi: Benussi; Zaccardi, Romagnoli, Bubnjic; Letizia, Lollo, Cofie, Fedele, Gabriel Silva; Matos; Mbakogu
Napoli: Reina; Hysaj, Albiol, Koulibaly, Ghoulam; Allan, Jorginho, Lopez; Callejon, Higuain, Insigne.
