MX23RW : Tuesday, April 16 05:19:11| >> :600:137401:137401:
[monks data]
Serie A
Feb 14, 2015 at 7.45pm UK
 
Napoli logo

3-1

Lazaar (14'), Vazquez (36'), Rigoni (65')
FT(HT: 2-0)

Preview: Palermo vs. Napoli

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Serie A clash between Palermo and Napoli.

The form table suggests that Palermo have a difficult task ahead of them as they prepare to host Napoli on Saturday evening.

Giuseppe Iachini's side have struggled to find their form since the winter break, and only one win in their last five games means that confidence is low in the squad.

Another tough test follows as the in-form Napoli make the trip to the Stadio Renzo Barbera looking to take another step closer to securing Champions League qualification.

After facing criticism in the latter stages of 2014, Rafael Benitez has seen his side hit top form in recent weeks, and a run of six successive wins in all competitions means they are still fighting for success in Serie A, the Coppa Italia and the Europa League.

Napoli are currently in third spot, seven points clear of Fiorentina in the battle for Champions League football, and another win would see them close the gap on second-placed Roma to one point before Rudi Garcia's side meet Parma on Sunday afternoon.

However, competing in three competitions presents a different challenge for Benitez, and he must decide whether to rest players ahead of next Thursday's Europa League clash with Trabzonspor.

Jose Callejon and Jonathan de Guzman both started the 3-1 win over Udinese on the bench, and they are among the players who could earn a recall on Saturday.

Paulo Dybala will once again lead the attack for Palermo, but he could be asked to play as a lone striker with support from Joao Silva.

Palermo:

Recent form: WLDDWL

Possible starting lineup: Sorrentino, Terzi, Gonzalez, Daprela, Morganella, Rigoni, Jajalo, Barretto, Lazaar, Silva, Dybala

Napoli:

Form in Serie A: WLWWWW
Form in all competitions: WWWWWW

Possible starting lineup: Rafael, Ghoulam, Britos, Albiol, Maggio, Inler, De Guzman, Callejon, Mertens, Hamsik, Higuain

Sports Mole says: 1-2


ID:205042: cacheID:205042:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4167:No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Nicolas Burdisso of Genoa and Gonzalo Higuain of Napoli in action during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Genoa CFC at Stadio San Paolo on January 26, 2015
Read Next:
Higuain double downs Genoa
>
rhs 2.0
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


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!