Napoli vs Atalanta: Osimhen vs Lookman takes centre stage in Naples

Serie A leaders SSC Napoli will welcome Atalanta BC to the Diego Maradona Stadium in Naples in what is the match of the weekend in Italy this evening.

This particular fixture will see two of Nigeria’s best players in the league this season, Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, go head-to-head again.

Both Super Eagles forwards will surely be the cynosure of all eyes when Napoli and Atalanta take to the Maradona Stadium by 6 pm Nigerian time.

Once Napoli and Atalanta step on the pitch in the Maradona Stadium, brotherhood will be thrown in the winds as both teams look to outwit the other.

The Serie A battle between the Napoli and Atalanta Nigerian stars has been an exciting watch for every Nigerian, with both players in the top three for goals scored in the Serie A this season.

Osimhen’s 19 goals have fired Napoli to a comfortable lead at the top of the Serie A table and could prove decisive in the end as the side from Naples tries to win their first league title in 33 years.

Lookman, on the other hand, hasn't been too far away from his compatriot,  with 12 goals scored in 19 Serie A starts for Atalanta following his transfer last summer.

Atalanta may be worse off on the table in comparison to Osimhen’s Partenopei, but heading into this game, the Nigerian duo will be super hungry to add to their respective tallies in Serie A.

Lookman is on a run of six matches without a goal to his name, with his last coming in the 2-0 win over Sampdoria back on January 28, 2023.

His compatriot, Osimhen was expertly caged by Lazio defenders the last time out en route to a narrow 1-0 loss in Naples.

These two started the Serie A season in blistering forms, but while Napoli has remained consistent at the top, their visitors have fallen off.

Napoli have been superb and lead with a comfortable 15-point lead heading into this game despite the defeat last weekend and a game in hand.

However, Osimhen and his teammates will be looking to get back to winning ways as quickly as possible after Lazio deservedly halted their moving train.

Napoli’s visitors Atalanta have not faired any better with Lookman and his teammates winless in their last three matches, including two defeats.

Atalanta also sit five points away from a Champions League spot.

With so much at stake in this game for both sides, especially Atalanta, this fixture will make for a fantastic and pulsating viewing this evening.

With two Nigerians set to feature in this Napoli vs Atalanta encounter in Serie A, it is difficult to be biased.

However, while both teams have key players out for this game, I feel Napoli will have enough quality and form to send Atlanta to a nap.