Napoli can restart their Serie A championship defence after last weekend's setback when it hosts Atalanta on Saturday. Atalanta is vying for the Champions League.

PHOTO | COURTESY Napoli looks forward to bouncing back to winning ways

With 13 games remaining, Napoli's enormous league advantage over Inter Milan was reduced to 15 points by Lazio's defeat.

When Inter kicks off the weekend's games at relegation-dangerous Spezia on Friday night, they will have the opportunity to put more pressure on Napoli.

Even if Inter were to triumph in every game, Napoli would still prevail with another 25 points, giving them a good chance of winning their first Scudetto since 1990.

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Yet, another stumble against one of Italy's top teams could worry Napoli supporters who witnessed firsthand the Spring collapse, a hallmark of manager Luciano Spalletti's career last season.

Spalletti referred to the Lazio loss as "an off day," seemingly unconcerned with the lack of enthusiasm even his star forwards Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia displayed in their attempts to create opportunities.

Despite Eintracht Frankfurt's visit on Wednesday, the dynamic tandem, who have dominated Serie A this season, will start again on Saturday.

PHOTO | COURTESY Napoli set to keep their trophy dream alive on Saturday

The Champions League quarterfinals are a likely outcome given Frankfurt's two-goal lead and the government's ban on Frankfurt away fans, which makes Spalletti's team selections for the weekend easier.

Although Atalanta has historically been a difficult opponent for Napoli to handle, they enter the matchup on Saturday, having won just once in five games and sitting five points outside the top four.

They have little opportunity to reduce that deficit this weekend, with Roma hosting Sassuolo and AC Milan hosting struggling Salernitana at the San Siro after making it to the final eight of the Champions League.

The defending champions Milan are tied for fourth place with Roma on 47 points, with Roma moving ahead of Milan due to last week's victory over Juventus.

The conclusion of the inquiry to decide whether Mourinho's two-game ban for getting dismissed at Cremonese should be applied will be made public on Friday.

Third-placed Lazio is one point ahead of those two teams and plays at Bologna on Saturday night. A week before the Rome derby, Lazio fans are again under investigation for racial shouting.

PHOTO | COURTESY Napoli to face Atalanta to continue their title contention

After racial chants at Lecce that left France defender Samuel Umtiti in tears, the capital club ordered the Curva Nord section of the Stadio Olimpico closed for a match in January.

Watch Out For Rafael Leao!

On Wednesday, Leao was back to his best; he was enthusiastic and caused significant issues for the Spur's defence whenever Milan attempted to advance.

The Portugal winger, who missed last weekend's loss against Fiorentina because of his suspension, will be crucial to Milan's effort to qualify for the Champions League again the following year.

Key Figures

The difference between Napoli and Inter Milan is 15, making the league title all but assured.

The distance in points between Milan in fifth place and Inter in second place is 3.

Fixtures

Friday

 Inter Milan vs Spezia (10:45 pm)

Saturday

Bologna vs. Lazio, Empoli vs. Udinese at 5 p.m., Napoli vs. Atalanta at 8 p.m. (10:45pm)

Lecce vs Torino (2:30 pm), Cremonese vs Fiorentina, Verona vs Monza (5 pm), Roma vs Sassuolo (8 pm), and Juventus vs Sampdoria are the matches on Sunday (10:45 pm)

Monday

Salernitana vs. AC Milan (10:45pm)