Genoa vs Napoli preview

October 24, 2017
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

Buoyed by two good results in a row, bottom-table Genoa will attempt to put a dent into Napoli’s title hopes and further improve their position in the standings.

The Azzurri, on the other hand, need to show a response after the first setback of the campaign and ensure they remain at the Serie A summit.

Genoa were blowing hot and cold last season and they seem to have continued in the same manner in the new Serie A campaign.

The squad underwent some minor changes, with Giovanni Simeone’s departure leaving a big gap to fill, but the revival of bad boy Adel Taarabt appears to have balanced things out.

Genoa struggled in the opening exchanges, taking just two points from first seven fixtures, but they have since managed to turn things around.

The 3-2 away win over Cagliari served as a major confidence boost, while one point brought from San Siro was another step in the right direction.

Genoa now face a difficult task against in-form Napoli, the team they failed to beat in their last ten meetings in Serie A (D3 L7).

The hosts are still without Nicolas Spolli and Isaac Cofie, while Gianluca Lapadula should be recalled to the starting line-up.

Probable starting line-up (3-4-2-1): Perin – Izzo, Rossettini, Zukanovic – Rosi, Bertolacci, Veloso, Laxalt – Rigoni, Taarabt – Lapadula.

Napoli have been making steady progress over the last few years and they now seem ready to launch a serious assault on the Serie A trophy.

Many pundits believe that the Azzurri can be considered one of the main candidates for the coveted title and their performances so far have done nothing to dispel those thoughts.

Napoli enjoyed a tremendous start to the new campaign, winning first eight matches to create a two-point advantage at the league summit.

The Azzurri also dominated the clash against second-placed Inter Milan, but eventually had to settle for a goalless draw, and they are now 1.36 (4/11) favourites to defeat Genoa.

Head coach Maurizio Sarri could ring changes to his starting line-up, while Jose Callejon may not be risked as he battles a knee injury.

As far as selection problems are concerned, only Arkadiusz Milik is missing through injury, and he won’t be back any time soon.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Reina – Hysaj, Chiriches, Koulibaly, Rui – Allan, Diawara, Hamsik – Ounas, Mertens, Insigne.

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