Both sides are expected to line up in a 4-3-3, which sets up a fascinating midfield dogfight. Fiorentina's predicted front three of Mastantuono, Pellegrino and Njie is youthful and direct, but they will be starved of service if Napoli's double pivot plus McTominay squeezes the central lanes. Vanoli's full-backs — likely Joao Mario and one of Viery or Valdepenas — will push high, and that is exactly where Napoli want them. The visitors' wide forwards can knife into those vacated half-spaces on the counter.

Napoli will not park the bus; they will press intelligently, win the second balls, and force Fiorentina to build through the flanks where the trap is set. Set-pieces are another edge: Napoli's height in midfield and defence makes them a genuine threat from corners, while Fiorentina's zonal marking has looked shaky. The likely game state is Napoli controlling possession, Fiorentina chasing shadows, and the home crowd growing restless.