Palermo vs Napoli preview

February 13, 2015
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

Palermo vs NapoliNinth-placed Palermo will be hoping to make amends for the 3-0 loss to Inter Milan and keep their Europa League hopes alive when they host Napoli at Renzo Barbera.

The Azzurri cemented the third place in the standings with four straight wins and they will fancy their chances of extending the run this weekend.

Seeing as how they only returned to the elite division last summer, Palermo have been quite impressive this term, having managed to escape the relegation tussle altogether.

The strong start to the Serie A campaign saw the Rosanero climb to the top half of the standings, and they even stand a chance of vying for European positions.

Palermo’s bright run of results came to an abrupt end last weekend as they were hammered by Inter Milan, with star forwards Paulo Dybala and Franco Vazquez having a rare off day.

The Rosanero now face tricky ties against Napoli and Lazio, and they are 4.20 (16/5) with BetVictor to stop the Azzurri in their tracks.

Costa Rican defender Giancarlo Gonzalez misses out through suspension, whilst Enzo Maresca and Roberto Vitiello are out injured.

Paulo Dybala will continue to lead the line despite clashing with chairman Maurizio Zamparini and no doubt there will again be a host of visiting scouts watching the Argentine in action.

Probable starting line-up (3-5-2): Sorrentino – Andjelkovic, Terzi, Daprela – Morganella, Rigoni, Barreto, Jajalo, Lazaar – Vazquez, Dybala.

This has been another tumultuous season for Napoli, who haven’t quite managed to live up to the billing, but the Azzurri appear determined to salvage the current campaign.

Rafa Benitez’s side seriously raised their form at the turn of the year, pipping Juventus to the Italian Super Cup trophy, while qualifying for the Coppa Italia semi-finals.

Meanwhile, Napoli finally managed to improve their league position, with four wins on the bounce seeing the team create a seven-point advantage over their top 3 rivals.

The Azzurri are now determined to continue the rich vein of form and maybe even kick-start their title bid, and they look a good bet at 2.05 (21/20) to win at Renzo Barbera.

Rafa Benitez is unlikely to make major changes to the side that defeated Udinese last weekend, although Dries Mertens is suspended.

The Belgian will be replaced by Jose Callejon, but Camilo Zuniga, Lorenzo Insigne, Michu and Giandomenico Mesto remain in the infirmary.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Rafael – Maggio, Albiol, Koulibaly, Strinic – Gargano, Lopez – Callejon, Hamsik, Gabbiadini – Higuain.

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