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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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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
1Napoli128221991026
2Inter Milan1274126141225
3Fiorentina1274125101525
4Lazio1281325141125
5Atalanta BCAtalanta1281331151625
6Juventus126602171424
7AC Milan115332014618
8Bologna114611513218
9Udinese125161518-316
10Empoli12363910-115
11Torino124261518-314
12Roma123451417-313
13Parma122641618-212
14Hellas VeronaHellas Verona124081727-1012
15Como122461323-1010
16CagliariCagliari122461222-1010
17Genoa12246922-1310
18Lecce12237521-169
19Monza121561015-58
20VeneziaVenezia122281121-108


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