Lorenzo Insigne, of Napoli, beats the challenge of Udinese’s Zdravko Kuzmanovic.

Napoli will have to find a way to beat Verona without the help of their 30-goal striker Gonzalo Higuain if they are to remain in the Serie A title race.

Juventus are six points clear at the top with seven games remaining after Napoli – and Higuain – self-combusted at Udinese last weekend.

The Azzurri – targeting a first Scudetto since 1990 – were already on their way to suffering a 3-1 defeat when Higuain, who had reached 30 goals for the season earlier in the match, exploded with rage after picking up a second yellow card for fouling Felipe.

He put his hands on referee Massimiliano Irrati and shoved a member of the Napoli staff on his way down the tunnel, with authorities subsequently handing him a four-match ban for his behaviour.

Napoli have appealed against the suspension but will not have the talismanic Argentinian in their squad when basement boys Verona visit the San Paolo.

There may be a 45-point gulf between the two clubs but Verona are improving and targeting an unlikely survival after closing to within six points of safety with a 1-0 victory at Bologna on Monday.

Palermo and Frosinone are also keen to escape the bottom three and positive results in their respective meetings with Lazio and Inter could see Carpi, who travel to mid-table Chievo, dragged back into the relegation zone.

At the top of the table Milan and Juventus will conduct a dress rehearsal for the Coppa Italia final when they meet at San Siro.

The Rossoneri have been confined to a training camp since losing to Atalanta last time out and their Japanese forward Keisuke Honda hopes the six-day lockdown at Milanello will pay dividends in their encounter with the reigning champions.

“Anything is possible,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “Even beating Juve. For sure it will be really difficult and to do it we will have to believe in ourselves.

“Juve are stronger than us but Milan have played well against Napoli, Roma and Inter.”

Milan’s best chance of getting into Europe will be winning the Coppa Italia final on May 21 as they are six points behind fifth-placed Inter, while surprise package Sassuolo are snapping at their heels and eager to snatch sixth spot ahead of their home meeting with Genoa.

Elsewhere, Fiorentina visit Tuscan rivals Empoli, Torino tackle Atalanta and Sampdoria entertain Udinese.

Roma, who have won nine of their last 10 matches, must wait until Monday night’s visit of Bologna to continue their hot pursuit of Napoli.

Fixtures

Serie A

Playing today
Frosinone vs Inter - 15.00
Chievo vs Carpi - 18.00
Sassuolo vs Genoa - 18.00
Milan vs Juventus - 20.45

Tomorrow – 15.00
Empoli vs Fiorentina - 12.30
Napoli vs Verona
Sampdoria vs Udinese
Palermo vs Lazio - 20.45
Torino vs Atalanta

Monday
Roma vs Bologna - 20.45

Standings: Juventus 73; Napoli 67; Roma 63; Fiorentina 56; Inter 55; Milan 49; Sassuolo 48; Lazio 42; Chievo 41; Genoa 37; Torino, Atalanta, Bologna, Empoli 36; Udinese 34; Sampdoria 33; Carpi, Palermo 28; Frosinone 27; Verona 22.

Serie B

Played yesterday
Avellino vs Pescara - 1-3

Today – 15.00
Ascoli vs Cagliari
Cesena vs Vicenza
Livorno vs Bari
Modena vs Trapani
Salernitana vs Latina
Spezia vs Novara
Ternana vs Crotone
V. Lanciano vs Entella

Tomorrow
Como vs Pro Vercelli - 17.30

Monday
Brescia vs Perugia - 20.30

Leading standings: Crotone 70; Cagliari 68; Pescara 55; Cesena, Novara, Bari, Spezia 54; Trapani 53.