Napoli vs Juventus preview

November 5, 2011
By: Matthew Clarke

Serie A leaders Juventus arrive to San Paolo looking to win their first away game against Napoli since 2000, having lost last four league games at the same ground.

The Azzurri, on the other hand, are hoping to prove their title credentials by winning their fourth successive game against the title contenders this term.

If derby games against title rivals were the only thing that decides the outcome of a season, Napoli would now be miles ahead of sides like Milan, Inter and Udinese, having recorded comfortable wins against all three sides this season.

However, from other six games Walter Mazzarri’s side have won only one, so it is not hard to see what seems to be the problem at the moment.

Considering that Napoli have been simply outstanding in all derby games this season and that they have beaten Juventus in last four home games, there seems to be a good value in betting on home win at odds of 2.60 (8/5) offered by Unibet.

Walter Mazzarri will have to make do without suspended Mario Alberto Santana, whereas Walter Gargano, Miguel Britos and Marco Donadel all face fitness tests.

Probable starting line-up (3-4-2-1): De Sanctis – Campagnaro, Cannavaro, Aronica – Maggio, Dzemaili, Inler, Dossena – Hamsik, Lavezzi – Cavani.

The mere fact that Juventus are the only unbeaten side in Serie A after nine rounds speaks volumes about Antonio Conte’s side.

The Old Lady haven’t been hammering their opponents, but they have improved slowly and steadily, while picking up important points everywhere they could.

Juventus, too, have won both derby games this term, beating Milan at home and Inter away, so they clearly have reason for optimism before the clash with Napoli.

The Biancocelesti are very motivated to end the poor run at San Paolo, but odds of 3.10 (21/10) offered by Victor Chandler on away win prove that they will not have an easy job here.

Antonio Conte is likely to stick with the 4-5-1 formation that worked so well against Fiorentina and Inter, meaning that Alessandro Matri is set to start as a lone striker.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Buffon – Lichtsteiner, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini – Marchisio, Pirlo – Vucinic, Vidal, Pepe – Matri.

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