Empoli v Napoli live updates - latest Serie A score as Partenopei look to close gap at top!

A big miss for Empoli! They should be in front!

The corner comes in from the right, and Pinamonti is unmarked at the back post but his header is just wide of the post!

Napoli go forward with Osimhen, who attacks down the left, before cutting the ball back into the box, but Bandinelli clears the ball for Empoli, and the home side counter.

Zurkowski runs with the ball down the right, but the ball is blocked for a corner.

We are underway here in a rainy Tuscany!

Not long now until kick off at the Stadio Carlo Castellani!

As for Napoli, they sit five points behind Inter Milan having played the same number of games.

A win today would put the pressure on their title rivals to get a positive result to maintain their advantage.

Eventhough Empoli seem to be on a downwards spiral in terms of results, they can actually do a first league double over Napoli today.

They have tasted success against the Partenopei in their last two meetings against them, including a 1-0 victory in December.

As for Empoli, their shocking run of form sees no signs of being turned around.

Gli Azzurri have gone 17 games without a victory in all competitions (16 in Serie A). Surprisingly, Empoli are not yet in the relegation zone, and sit nine points clear of Salernitana in 18th.

Luciano Spalletti has made two changes from Napoli's 1-1 draw against Roma last time out.

Kalidou Koulibaly serves a one-game suspension for accumulation of yellow cards and is replaced in the starting XI by Juan Jesus.

Stanislav Lobotka is also replaced in the starting XI by Dries Mertens.

Luciano Spalletti has also named his starting lineup for this big game for Napoli, as they look to close the gap to Inter at the top of Serie A.

Napoli: Meret, Zanoli, Rrahmani, Jesus, Rui, Anguissa, Fabian, Lozano, Mertens, Insigne, Osimhen.

Subs: Ospina, Marfella, Barba, Malcuit, Tuanzebe, Demme, Zielinski, Petagna, Politano.

Empoli head coach Aurelio Andreazzoli has named his team for this afternoon's big game for Gli Azzurri.

Empoli: Vicario, Verre, Cutrone, Asllani, Bandinelli, Zurkowski, Stojanovic, Luperto, Viti, Pinamonti.

Subs: Ujkani, Stulac, Romangnoli, Henderson, Bajrami, Di Francesco, Benassi, Fazzini, La Mantia, Fiamozzi, Cacace, Ismajli.

Hello and welcome to Eurosport's live text commentary of this afternoon's Serie A match between Empoli and Napoli at Stadio Carlo Castellani.

I'm Ethan Van Ristell and I'll be providing the updates for this one.

Team news is on the way!