Napoli team news: Alisson Santos could make surprise start for Conte against Atalanta

Antonio Conte could hand Alisson Santos a surprise start when Napoli travel to Atalanta on Sunday.

The Serie A clash kicks-off at 15:00 CET on Sunday and January addition Alisson looks set to start, according to Sky Sport, via IlNapolista.

The Brazilian forward, formerly of Sporting Lisbon, has made an immediate impression since arriving at the club, netting a late equaliser off the bench in last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Roma.

That cameo appearance may have been enough to convince Conte to hand him a place in the starting XI, with Santos potentially lining up in the front three alongside Antonio Vergara and Rasmus Højlund.

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In midfield, Eljif Elmas could drop into a deeper role to partner Stanislav Lobotka, with Scott McTominay dropping to the bench as a result.

Fellow Scot Billy Gilmour would then be among the substitutes, likely to feature from the bench.

Matteo Politano may also find himself left out of the starting lineup, with Mazzocchi set to take his place on the right flank.

Gutiérrez is expected to operate on the left side.

At the back, Conte looks set to continue with a back three of Sam Beukema, Juan Jesus and Alessandro Buongiorno, providing the defensive foundation the Napoli head coach demands.

Between the posts, Vanja Milinkovic-Savic is again expected to be preferred to Alex Meret, continuing what has become an established pattern in recent weeks.