Serie A 2018/19, Napoli vs Juventus: 5 issues to watch out

In a clash of the league titans, Napoli host Juventus at the Stadio San Paolo on Sunday evening. The Serie A's two best teams are separated by a massive 13 points as the race, however, looks to be wrapped up already.

The Bianconeris are the only side from Europe's top five leagues still to lose a game, having won 22 of the 25 so far, including a 3-1 thumping of the Partenopei at home in September. But their recent outings haven't produced spectacular performances and also face a possible exit from the Champions League after the chastening defeat to Atletico Madrid.

What's at stake is only pride, as the teams battle it out in their most futile clash in a while. But here are some interesting talking points ahead of the kick-off:

---

#5 Juve's wobbles give Napoli hope

Juventus have been below their best recently

The Old Lady continues to sing from the same hymn sheet that she has been for the last seven years. Unbeaten in the league even after 25 games and 13 points clear at the top of the table, it's deja vu again in Serie A as the defending champions look set to prolong their domestic hegemony by another year.

However, their recent performances have been hardly champion's material. Following the 3-0 drubbing at the hands of Atalanta in Coppa Italia, the Bianconeris conceded thrice at home in a 3-3 draw to lowly Parma.

But after picking up a pair of 3-0 victories in the league, Allegri saw his side go down to a dogged Atletico Madrid that has once again left their European ambition in tatters. Next, they scrapped through Bologna with a highly unconvincing 1-0 win.

Suffice to say, not everything's rosy in the Turin garden right now. With a fumbling backline and a midfield that's shockingly devoid of creative juices, this Juventus team is a far cry of the swashbuckling outfit that used to tear through everything that's on their way to league glory.

Napoli can smell blood in its waters right now. The Partenopei were humbled 3-1 in the reverse fixture and with manager Carlo Ancelotti putting away his best XI, here's a great opportunity at redemption - and also end Juve's unbeaten run to restore pride.

#4 Allegri must rest Ronaldo and avoid playing with fire

With so little at stake, Allegri must rest Ronaldo

The Juventus gaffer may be churning out results, but the quality of his side's gameplay has deteriorated mightily. And now, he's been left in another quandary whether to play Cristiano Ronaldo in Sunday's fixture.

The Portuguese ace was struggling with an ankle problem earlier in the week, and even though he's been given the green-signal ahead of the game, should Allegri take a gamble by playing him with Atletico coming up next week?

Juventus need their €112 million summer acquisition fit and firing as the Turin giants have a mountain to climb in the return leg. But forcing him to play against Napoli can backfire brutally if the injury rears it's ugly head again.

Allegri must avoid playing with fire here. Just rest him for a game; it won't prove to be catastrophic.

#3 Chance for Milik to prove he isn't a flat track bully

Milik hasn't scored any of the big sides in the division

Napoli striker Arkadiusz Milik has been a revelation this season. Not only has he usurped Dries Mertens to become the focal point of the team's attacking vanguard, but has also struck 14 times in the league to hotly contest the race for Capocannoniere prize.

However, the downside here is that he hasn't struck even once against the big guns. Milik failed to fire against the likes of Juventus, AS Roma, Inter Milan and in both legs against AC Milan this season. Lazio is the only side from the top six that he has found the net against.

This leads us to believe he isn't really a big game player but rather just a flat track bully. However with Juventus struggling defensively, here might be a chance to erase the anomaly. The Polish forward is certain to start ahead of Mertens again, and with proper service, should put a goal or two away.

#2 Litmus test for Napoli's dogged defence

Napoli have one of the meanest in the league

Napoli have the meanest defence in the league behind obviously Juventus, conceding only 18 in 25 games. But they have posted the best figures since the turn of the year, letting in on only three occasions in seven outings, and none in the last four.

The Partenopei went through the whole month of February without conceding in the league. The only occasion they were beaten at the back was at Zurich in the Europa League. So that's five clean sheets in the last six.

However, Juventus would be a true test of their defensive mettle. The Bianconeris are a different kettle of fish and pose a challenge unlike any other. Even though the champions are plagued by their own fair share of issues, still have the attacking might to take any defence apart.

Napoli especially are aware of this, having conceded 10 in six games to their Turin counterparts.

#1 Whoever wins, the outcome will be inconsequential to the title race

Napoli vs Juventus is normally a title-deciding clash. This one isn't

Even as we witness a possible upset of the applecart in the Premier League and the Bundesliga, Italy's Serie A continues to be a one-upmanship. Juventus are not only unbeaten in the league but also 13 points clear at the top of the table, despite not playing pretty on multiple occasions.

That serves as a testament to the gulf in class and quality between Allegri's men and the rest. The arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo has, in fact, widened the gap as anticipated and the competitiveness of the league is once again called in to question.

With AS Roma and Inter Milan, despite some promising summer business, struggling and AC Milan only finding their feet again, the Bianconeris are so untouchable that whichever way this game takes to, it would hardly make a difference in the title race.

Win, and Juventus effectively cement their eighth title in a row. Lose, and the gap would trim to 10, which is still quite some distance for Ancelotti's men to cover. Either way, it's inconsequential.