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Napoli logo
Serie A
Feb 8, 2015 at 2pm UK
 
Udinese logo

3-1

Mertens (8'), Gabbiadini (21'), Thereau (59' og.)
FT(HT: 2-1)
Thereau (27')

Preview: Napoli vs. Udinese

Sports Mole previews Udinese's trip to the Stadio San Paolo to face Napoli.

Napoli will be hoping to maintain the pressure on Roma when they host Udinese on Sunday afternoon.

Boss Rafael Benitez has guided his team to 15 points from a possible 18 to close the gap on second place to four points after Roma could only record eight points over the same period.

Gli Azzurri have also opened up a significant gap between themselves and fourth spot, while the club's impressive form continued with their Coppa Italia triumph over Inter Milan in midweek.

That game saw striker Gonzalo Higuain net his eighth goal in as many games, and he is expected to lead the same starting lineup that featured at Chievo last weekend.

After failing to win in six fixtures, Udinese have returned to form with four points from their last two outings, including an impressive goalless draw with leaders Juventus.

The Bianconeri had begun the season challenging for a European spot, but after managing to shut out Juventus last weekend, they should have the belief to pull off another surprise result at Stadio San Paolo.

Coach Andrea Stramaccioni is likely to retain the same starting lineup, meaning that striker Antonio Di Natale will keep his place in the side despite reports regarding his future at the club.

The visitors will take confidence from their 2-2 draw with Napoli in the Coppa Italia just two weeks ago, before they eventually succumbed on penalties.

Napoli:

Form in Serie A: WWLWWW
Form in all competitions: LWDWWW

Possible starting lineup: Rafael, Albiol, Britos, Strinic, De Guzman, Maggio, David Lopez, Jorginho, Higuain, Mertens, Gabbiadini

Udinese:

Form in Serie A: DLDDWD
Form in all competitions: LDDLWD

Possible starting lineup: Karnezis, Danilo, Heurtaux, Piris, Widmer, Guilherme, Allan, Gabriel Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Di Natale, Thereau

Sports Mole says: 3-1


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Napoli head coach Rafael Benitez gestures during the Serie A match between AS Roma and SSC Napoli at Stadio Olimpico on October 18, 2013
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Inter Milan32265177176083
2AC Milan32216563372669
3Juventus32189545242163
4Bologna321611545252059
5Roma31167856352155
6Atalanta BCAtalanta311561057362151
7Napoli321310950401049
8Lazio32154134135649
9Torino32111293129245
10Fiorentina31128114336744
11Monza321110113441-743
12Genoa32912113539-439
13Lecce32711142748-2132
14CagliariCagliari32710153454-2031
15Hellas VeronaHellas Verona32610163044-1428
16Udinese31416113047-1728
17Empoli3277182548-2328
18FrosinoneFrosinone3269174063-2327
19SassuoloSassuolo3268183962-2326
20Salernitana3229212668-4215


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