Victor Osimhen and Napoli will be aiming to halt a run of three games without a win when they travel to the Stadio Friuli to take on Udinese on Monday evening. The Partenopei have not only been dethroned as champions of Italy but are also now in danger of missing out on a place in Europe next season.

In this article, we'll preview both teams, while providing a Udinese vs Napoli prediction.

Having won the Serie A title last season, Napoli came into the current campaign with high hopes but could not replicate the success they chalked last season. Spalletti's departure left a void that the club has struggled to fill, with his replacement Rudi Garcia being sacked just four months after his appointment.

While Napoli are still in contention to qualify for the UEFA Europa Conference League, they won't find it easy playing against a Udinese side that's currently battling relegation. The White and Blacks recently hired Fabio Cannavaro as head coach to try to turn things around, but the former Italy defender has had a slow start following a winless run in his first two games in charge.

Photo by Icon Sport Quick stats Napoli have failed to win any of their last three matches, while Udinese are also winless in their last seven games in all competitions It's been more than 10 years since a Udinese vs Napoli fixture failed to produce a goal, with the two teams last playing out a goalless draw in February 2013 Udinese have drawn half (17) of their 34 Serie A games played this season Napoli's top scorer Victor Osimhen has scored three goals in his last four matches in the Serie A Match preview It has been a very disappointing campaign for Napoli, considering what they achieved last season. Failing to defend the Serie A title has been compounded by their inability to go past the round of 16 stage of the UEFA Champions League, and now they face the possibility of missing out on a place in Europe entirely.

The Partenopei's biggest challenge has been the lack of consistency: they could look great in one week and completely atrocious in the next and that hasn't helped much. While Calzona is a man under huge pressure, the situation is no different for his opposite number Cannavaro, who is tasked with steering Udinese out of the relegation zone with just four matches left.

"We're going to have to be smart to hold our shape and be even more focused than we were against Bologna, both when we have the ball and when we don't," Cannavaro said ahead of Monday's big game, as quoted by Udinese's official website.

"Napoli are a side that like to control the game, but when we're in possession we have to hurt them, because we have the quality to do that. We played with great spirit against Bologna and that showed me we can give anyone a game. The league table this year might say that Napoli are a notch below Bologna but having had the chance to analyse them closely, I can see they're very impressive indeed, both as a team and as individuals."

With Napoli currently occupying the ninth position on the Serie A table, they are in desperate need of victory after failing to win any of their last three matches. The Partenopei have, however, been blighted by some injuries that could alter the team that will be facing Udinese. Manager Calzona was unable to complete the team's training on Friday and had to go home early after suffering from flu symptoms and high fever.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is also a huge doubt for the game after complaining of discomfort in training, while Piotr Zielinski has been ruled out due to a leg injury. For Udinese, Cannavaro would have to make do with the few options at his disposal following what has been an injury-hit campaign. Florian Thauvin, Sandi Lovric, Lautaro Giannetti, goalkeeper Marco Silvestri and Gerard Deulofeu are all set to miss the game against Napoli due to injuries

The man who will likely have all the eyeballs during Monday's fixture is Victor Osimhen. The Nigeria international has been in the news due to rumours surrounding his future but he also seems to have hit a rich vein of form at the right time for Calzona's side.

Osimhen, who has scored three goals in his last four league matches, will be Napoli's main threat against Udinese, and he will certainly be looking to add to his 16 goals and four assists this season.

Udinese vs Napoli H2H (Last 10 Games) September 27, 2023 - Napoli 4-1 Udinese

May 4, 2023 - Udinese 1-1 Napoli

November 12, 2022 - Napoli 3-2 Udinese

March 19, 2022 - Napoli 2-1 Udinese

September 20, 2021 - Udinese 0-4 Napoli

May 11, 2021 - Napoli 5-1 Udinese

January 10, 2021 - Udinese 1-2 Napoli

July 19, 2020 - Napoli 2-1 Udinese

December 7, 2019 - Udinese 1-1 Napoli

March 17, 2019 - Napoli 4-2 Udinese

Udinese vs Napoli prediction Napoli are currently not at their best, but they are still far stronger than Udinese and have a better squad too. Calzona's side have also been quite dominant in this fixture, having lost just once in the Serie A against Udinese in the last eight years. In fact, the last time the White and Blacks defeated Napoli in a league game was way back in 2016.

Photo by Icon Sport That, coupled with the fact that Udinese are currently battling relegation makes Napoli huge favourites ahead of Monday's encounter. It won't be an easy game away from home, but the Partenopei should have enough firepower to get past the hosts. Osimhen's blistering form also means Napoli have a striker who can turn half chances into goals, and in such fixtures, that could be crucial. Calzona's side should be able to win by a two-goal margin with Osimhen getting on the scoresheet.

Udinese vs Napoli predicted line-ups: Udinese possible starting lineup: Okoye; Ferreira, Bijol, Kristensen; Ehizibue, Zarraga, Walace, Samardzic, Kamara; Pereyra; Lucca

Napoli possible starting lineup: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Jesus, Rrahmani, Olivera; Anguissa, Lobotka, Cajuste; Politano, Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia