Napoli are gearing up for a crucial Serie A showdown against relegated Pisa this Sunday, and they've received a major boost with the return of midfield maestro Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgian star is expected to slot back into the starting lineup after recovering from a nasty eyebrow injury sustained in training—one that required four stitches following a collision last week.

This match comes at a pivotal moment for Gli Azzurri, who are looking to bounce back from a disappointing 3-2 home defeat to Bologna on Monday. That loss put a dent in their push for Champions League qualification, leaving their hold on second place looking shakier than it has all season. A win against Bologna could have put them six points clear of fifth-placed Roma, but instead, they now sit just five points ahead of Como in sixth. While it would take an extraordinary collapse for Napoli to miss out on Europe's top competition, every point matters at this stage of the campaign.

Antonio Conte's side will need to be sharp against a Pisa team that, despite being rooted to the bottom of the table with just two wins all season, will be desperate to end a seven-match losing streak in front of their home fans. The hosts were officially relegated to Serie B after a 2-1 loss to Lecce earlier this month, but pride and a final farewell to their supporters will be on the line.

Napoli will have to cope without winger Matteo Politano, who is suspended for the clash. There's also a question mark over Brazilian international David Neres, who has been sidelined since January after undergoing ankle surgery. He faces a late fitness test to determine if he can make the squad. On a brighter note, Kosovo captain and defender Amir Rrahmani recently celebrated his 200th appearance for the club and is expected to retain his place in the backline.

For Pisa, the challenge is compounded by the absence of suspended duo Felipe Loyola and Rosen Bozhinov. Still, with nothing to lose and everything to gain emotionally, they'll be looking to play spoiler in Napoli's Champions League pursuit.

As the Serie A season winds down, this penultimate match offers Napoli a chance to steady the ship and secure their spot among Europe's elite. All eyes will be on De Bruyne to see if he can orchestrate the turnaround.