Sassuolo head into tonight's clash against Napoli seven points clear of the relegation zone after putting up an unbeaten run of four matches. Indeed, after enduring a run of eight defeats in 10 league matches, Sassuolo have recovered in recent weeks to somewhat allay any fears of returning to Italy's second tier for the first time in a decade. Since getting promoted from Serie B for the first time in the club's history in 2013, Sassuolo has been widely regarded as one of the best examples of a team punching above their weight. They haven't even come close to being relegated since finishing 17th in their debut season in Italy's top division.

However, that looked a distinct possibility this season until Sassuolo recently secured impressive back-to-back wins against Champions League qualification contenders AC Milan and Atalanta which has taken them to the 15th position. Avoiding defeat against Napoli on Friday will be one of the greatest tests that any team in elite football can have on current form. But Alessio Dionisi's side can take great confidence from his side's recent wins against two high-flying teams in the table. 

Napoli lost their first league game of the season to Inter Milan in their first match back after the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup competition. They last won the Serie A title in the 1988-90 campaign during the golden reign of Diego Maradona. They now travel to Sassuolo with 15 points clear of their nearest rival in the Serie A. It might be safe to say that with just 16 games of the league left to play, they might be the runaway league leaders who will end up lifting the trophy this season. 

Napoli have a UEFA Champions League round of 16 duel against German side Eintracht Frankfurt to look forward to next week thus keeping them in the race for two titles. Their only downtime this season was the penalty shoot-out they lost to Cremonese in the Coppa Italia last month which came as a huge surprise considering that it represented top versus bottom in terms of the Serie A table. The biggest motivation for the Neapolitans will be ending 34 years of the Serie A title drought as they head into their match tonight. It is impossible to rule Napoli out of competing deep in the UCL competition considering their current form. 

(Image: Tribun Kaltim)