Scott McTominay believes Napoli's recent slide out of Scudetto contention can be at least partly explained by bad luck, ahead of Sunday's trip to Atalanta.

Since the start of 2026, Napoli have drawn four Serie A matches, more than any other side in the competition (level with AC Milan, Genoa and Pisa). 

And in their last four Serie A matches, which have yielded seven points, Antonio Conte's team have conceded eight goals (an average of two per game), compared to just seven goals in their previous 10 outings (0.7 per match).

Ahead of matchday 26, Napoli sit third in Serie A, 11 points behind leaders Inter and four adrift of AC Milan in second. Roma and Juventus, in fourth and fifth, are within four points of the Partenopei.

Conte has been without several key players in recent weeks, though, with Kevin De Bruyne, David Neres, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Frank Anguissa and Amir Rrahmani all sidelined, while McTominay has missed their last two matches.

But the former Manchester United midfielder expects to feature against Raffaele Palladino's side in Bergamo, and he hopes Napoli's luck will now turn.

"In moments of difficulty, with many injuries, it's difficult for the coach and the staff to find the right balance and the best way to play," McTominay told Corriere dello Sport.

"We've been unlucky, but that's no excuse. It's a serious explanation and must be accepted."

McTominay was named Serie A's player of the season in 2025-26 after scoring 12 goals to lead Napoli to the title. 

His performances have led to suggestions he could be lined up for a big-money transfer, with Arsenal reportedly showing an interest, but he remains happy in Naples.

"My agent hasn't told me anything about my future," McTominay said. He only talks to the club and me. He has told the press nothing. 

"I'm extremely happy here, I'm at Napoli, and that's all I'm thinking about. The future is important, and I could see myself being here for a long time.

"I admire the fans and Neapolitans in general. Their attitude is close to that of my home, so I relate to them easily. I love this place."

Atalanta are seventh in Serie A and in good form domestically, though they were beaten 2-0 by Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their Champions League play-off tie on Tuesday.

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Atalanta – Gianluca Scamacca 

Scamacca has scored three goals against Napoli in Serie A, including two in his last two matches against them – he has only scored more against Cagliari and Empoli (both four). 

The striker has only scored in three consecutive top-flight appearances against a single opponent on one previous occasion, against Hellas Verona between 2022 and 2025.

Napoli – Eljif Elmas

Atalanta are the side against whom Elmas has scored the most goals in Serie A (three), all of which have come in his last three appearances at the New Balance Arena. 

Since the Macedonian made his debut in the competition (2019-20), only Edin Dzeko and Lautaro Martinez (both four) have netted more goals away to Atalanta than Elmas (level with Dusan Vlahovic, Domenico Berardi and Andrea Belotti).

MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW

There has been just one draw in the last 21 Serie A matches between Atalanta and Napoli, with Atalanta winning eight and Napoli 12 of the other games. 

The Partenopei have won six of their last eight league matches against Atalanta (two draws), always scoring at least two goals in these victories.

The supercomputer struggles to split them ahead of this match, but entertainment should be expected.

Since the 2018-19 season, matches between Atalanta and Napoli in Serie A have always seen at least two goals scored, with an average of 3.7 per game across the last 15 meetings. 

Following their 3-1 success in the reverse fixture, Napoli could complete a league double over Atalanta for the first time since 2022-23.

But Atalanta's 20 points won in 2026 are the second most in Serie A, after Inter's 25 (the Nerazzurri have played one more game), and La Dea have not lost since the turn of the year.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Atalanta – 39%

Napoli – 32.3%

Draw – 28.7%