Preview: Napoli vs. Genoa

Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain will be hopeful of adding to his recent hot streak in front of goal when his side host Genoa on Monday evening.

The Argentine had gone six games without a goal before recording five in as many games to keep his team in third position in the standings.

Rafael Benitez rested a number of players for the Coppa Italia triumph over Udinese in midweek, but he is expected to revert back to much of the team that helped beat Lazio last weekend.

The Spaniard, who has recently been linked with a move away from the club at the end of the season, will be aware that three points are a must as clubs behind them in the standings keep pace in the hunt for a Champions League spot.

Genoa travel to Naples having failed to record a league win in five attempts, while they have also shipped 10 goals in their last four outings.

Three of the goals came in a six-goal thriller with Sassuolo last weekend, but the Neroverdi fought back three times during that contest and there is a feeling that could be the start of a change in the club's fortunes.

Manager Eusebio Di Francesco must cope with the absence of Alessandro Matri until the end of February, but after Giannis Fetfatzidis scored twice after being deployed further forward, he could fill the void until the striker's return.

Napoli:

Form in Serie A: DLWWLW Form in all competitions: WDWLWW

Possible starting lineup: Rafael, Albiol, Strinic, Koulibaly, De Guzman , Maggio, Gargano, David Lopez, Higuain, Mertens, Jose Callejon

Genoa:

Recent form WLLDLD

Possible starting lineup: Perin, Burdisso, Roncaglia, Antonelli, Izzo, Rincon, Fetfatzidis, Bertolacci, Sturaro, Iago Falque, Lestienne

Sports Mole says: 2-1