Juventus v Napoli preview: two giants level on 14 points, Spalletti against his old club and long injury lists
Juventus and Napoli meet in Turin on Sunday level on 14 points and outside the European places after nine games. Luciano Spalletti faces the club he led to the title, Napoli are without Stanislav Lobotka, and both sides have long injury lists.
Two of Italy's biggest clubs meet on Sunday 1 November at 20:45 CET (19:45 UK / 03:45 Monday Beijing) at the Allianz Stadium, and neither is where it wants to be. Juventus and Napoli are level on 14 points after nine games — the first time they have been level in the table since April 2021.
Where they are
| Juventus | Napoli | |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 14 | 14 |
| Position | 8th | — |
| Midweek | Lost 2-0 at Genoa | Won 4-1 at Monza |
| Coach | Luciano Spalletti | Massimiliano Allegri |
The leaders, Lazio and Inter, are 11 points ahead. For both clubs, Sunday is about staying in touch with the European places — see the matchday 9 round-up.
According to Juventus, a Napoli defeat would leave them with their worst record after ten games since 2009-10.
Form
Juventus were caught on the counter twice in the first half at Genoa in midweek and lost 2-0, their second defeat in five games in all competitions — see Genoa 2-0 Juventus.
Napoli are unbeaten in three and have scored at least three goals in three of their last four league games. They won 4-1 at Monza on Wednesday, with goals from Rasmus Højlund, Rafa Marín and Kevin De Bruyne.
Spalletti against Napoli
Luciano Spalletti won the Scudetto with Napoli in 2022-23. Sunday is a meeting with his former club, now coached by Massimiliano Allegri, himself a former Juventus coach. One preview reports that Allegri is serving the last game of a two-match touchline ban.
Team news
Both clubs have long absence lists. Reports differ on some names, so these are the players most consistently listed as out:
| Juventus — out | Napoli — out |
|---|---|
| Manuel Locatelli | Benoît Badiashile |
| Kamil Grabara | Alisson Santos |
| Zeki Çelik | David Neres |
| Nicolás González | Stanislav Lobotka (carried off v Monza) |
Some reports also list Kenan Yıldız, Khéphren Thuram, Francisco Conceição and Arkadiusz Milik for Juventus, and Alessandro Buongiorno and Leonardo Spinazzola for Napoli, as unavailable. Confirmed squads will be known closer to kick-off.
Head-to-head
| Serie A meetings | 161: Juventus 72 wins, Napoli 39, draws 49 |
| Last league meeting | Juventus 3-0 Napoli (January) |
| Scott McTominay v Juventus | 360 Serie A minutes, no goal or assist |
| Randal Kolo Muani | Scored on his Serie A debut against Napoli in January 2025 |
A clean sheet would give Juventus back-to-back league shut-outs against Napoli for the first time since 2012.
Three things to watch
1. Juventus' response. After losing at Genoa, a home defeat would leave them further adrift of the top four.
2. Napoli's midfield without Lobotka. He was stretchered off at Monza; De Bruyne may have to do more of the organising.
3. Spalletti's knowledge. Few coaches know Napoli's players and club better.
FAQ
What time is Juventus v Napoli? Sunday 1 November at 20:45 CET, which is 19:45 in the UK and 03:45 on Monday in Beijing.
Where are Juventus and Napoli in Serie A? Both have 14 points after nine games; Juventus are eighth.
Who are the coaches? Luciano Spalletti coaches Juventus and Massimiliano Allegri coaches Napoli.
Who won the last Juventus v Napoli match? Juventus won 3-0 in the league in January.
