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[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


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Written by
Callum Mulvihill
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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
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Atalanta BCAtalanta16121339172237
2Napoli16112324111335
3Inter Milan1494134151931
4Fiorentina1594228111731
5Lazio15101430171331
6Juventus16610026121428
7Bologna156722118325
8AC Milan156542416823
9Udinese166281925-620
10Empoli164751416-219
11Torino165471720-319
12Roma164481823-516
13Genoa163761324-1116
14Lecce164481027-1716
15Parma163672328-515
16Como163671828-1015
17Hellas VeronaHellas Verona1650112139-1815
18CagliariCagliari163581526-1114
19Monza161781421-710
20VeneziaVenezia1624101529-1410


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