:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48798931/GettyImages-490489826.0.jpg)
Serie A this season is a two-horse race, with Napoli currently just a couple of points clear of defending champions Juventus at the top of the table. The top two's nearest competitors, Fiorentina, are eight points in arrears, and lack the consistency or the quality to mount a serious challenge. It's a straight fight between Maurizio Sarri's men and Massimiliano Allegri's.
That makes Juve's meeting at home to Napoli on Saturday nothing short of unmissable. It has been a long time since we've had anything like a genuine title contest in Italy, though should the Neapolitans thwart their Piedmontese hosts in their own backyard, their hopes of sealing their first scudetto since Diego Maradona was gracing the San Paolo will only increase. At the end of the season, we could well see this clash as a defining moment.
Key matchup: Paulo Dybala vs. Gonzalo Higuaín
So these strikers won't be direct opponents on the field, but their coaches will nevertheless be banking on them to turn in top performances. The two Argentines have been in incredible form so far this season: Higuaín has scored a remarkable 24 league goals for Napoli, while Dybala's netted on 13 occasions for Juve -- and created a handful more. It's no exaggeration to say that they're the talismen of their teams, personifying a potentially magnificent title race.
Recent history
Napoli won 2-1 when these sides met at the San Paolo in the reverse fixture, though prior to that victory, Juve had won twice on the bounce against the Neapolitans. Recent history only serves to confirm the suspicious that this will be a tight encounter, but one with goals: both sides have scored in every one of their last four meetings, and not since 1997 have they played out a goalless draw in the league.
Juventus injuries and suspensions
Out: Mario Mandžukić, Giorgio Chiellini (calf); Kwadwo Asamoah (thigh); Sami Khedira (muscular); Martín Cáceres (Achilles). In doubt: None.
Napoli injuries and suspensions
Out: Alberto Grassi (knee). In doubt: None.
Juve have a string of injury problems, with the most costly having hit captain Chiellini and veteran forward Mandžukić. In contrast, Napoli's only absentee is youngster Grassi, who picked up a knee injury in his first training session after arriving from Atalanta in January.
Match date/time: Saturday, 2:45 p.m. ET, 8:45 p.m. local
Venue: Juventus Stadium, Turin, Italy
TV: beIN Sports (US and Canada - English); RAI International (US and Canada - Italian); BT Sport Europe (UK)
Online: beIN Sports Connect (US and Canada); fuboTV (US); BT Sport live streaming (UK)