Juventus vs Napoli preview

May 22, 2015
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

Napoli vs JuventusSerie A champions Juventus will have problems concentrating on the Napoli game after securing the Coppa Italia trophy in midweek.

Meanwhile, the Azzurri would revive their top 3 bid by winning in Turin and they will relish the fact that Max Allegri is likely to field a second string side.

This could easily prove to be the most successful season in club’s proud history, with Juventus winning the first domestic double since 1995 and making it to the Champions League final.

Nobody was surprised to see the Bianconeri lift the fourth successive league trophy, but they overcame some very difficult opponents to also add the Coppa Italia title.

It was Alessandro Matri who proved the hero in the final having scored the winner against Lazio in extra time, and he is likely to be rewarded with a starting berth against Napoli.

Max Allegri will be looking to rest his star players in the remaining league matches and keep them fresh for the Champions League final, so no wonder Juventus are priced at 3.00 (2/1) to see off the Azzurri.

Stephan Lichtsteiner misses out through suspension, while Martin Caceres and Romulo remain sidelined through injury.

Gianluigi Buffon will return to the starting line-up, but the likes of Carlos Tevez, Andrea Pirlo and Paul Pogba should be rested.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-1-2): Buffon – Padoin, Barzagli, Ogbonna, De Ceglie – Pereyra, Sturaro, Marchisio – Pepe – Matri, Morata.

Unlike their more illustrious opponents, Napoli have experienced all sorts of problems this term and things are not looking good ahead of the final two matches of the season.

The Azzurri were eliminated in Coppa Italia and Europa League semi-finals, while slipping to fourth in the league standings, with the expensively assembled squad desperately failing to live up to their potential.

Even if they currently sit three and four points behind Lazio and Roma in the standings, Napoli are almost certain to achieve a top 3 finish if they win their remaining two matches.

However, defeating Juventus away and Lazio at home will be no easy task, although the Azzurri are 2.50 (3/2) to win in Turin.

Important defender Kalidou Koulibaly is banned, whereas Michu, Jonathan De Guzman and Juan Camilo Zuniga are out injured.

Gonzalo Higuain will be recalled to the starting line-up, with Manolo Gabbiadini expected to be relegated to the substitutes’ bench.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Andujar – Maggio, Albiol, Britos, Ghoulam – Lopez, Jorginho – Callejon, Hamsik, Mertens – Higuain.

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