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Sassuolo logo
Serie A
Sep 28, 2014 at 11.30am UK
 
Napoli logo

0-1

FT(HT: 0-1)
Callejon (28')

Preview: Sassuolo vs. Napoli

Sports Mole looks ahead to Sunday's Serie A clash between struggling Sassuolo and out-of-form Napoli.

Napoli travel to the Stadio Citta del Tricolore to take on Sassuolo on Sunday in a match that could have a major say on the future of manager Rafael Benitez.

The Spaniard insists that he does not fear the sack, but defeat against one of the league's smallest clubs would provide yet more ammo for those who want him out of Naples.

The growing discontent is born out of a slow start to the Serie A season, with Napoli picking up just one win and four points from their opening four matches.

Back-to-back 1-0 defeats to Chievo and Udinese respectively were followed up by a 3-3 draw at home to Palermo on Wednesday, leaving the club without a win since the opening day.

Failure to reach the Champions League group stages has also contributed to a hugely disappointing start to the campaign, but Saturday's match should provide the perfect opportunity for Benitez to pick up three much-needed points.

Sassuolo were on the wrong end of a 7-0 drubbing at the hands of Inter Milan just a fortnight ago and, although things have slightly improved since then with consecutive goalless draws, they are still awaiting their first win of the season.

They have also scored just once in the current campaign, with that coming on the opening day to earn a draw against fellow strugglers Cagliari.

Simone Zaza was absent from the midweek draw with Fiorentina due to an injury concern, but he should be fit enough to play this weekend and could be joined in the starting lineup by Saphir Taider.

There will be no Gianluca Pegolo or Thomas Manfredini for the hosts due to injury, however, while Domenico Berardi is suspended for the match.

As for Napoli, they are missing Giandomenico Mesto and potentially Jorginho through injury, but Gonzalo Higuain should return to the starting lineup.

Recent form

Sassuolo: DDLDW

Napoli: DLWLWL

Possible starting lineups

Sassuolo: Consigli; Vrsaljko, Antei, Ariaudo, Peluso; Biondini, Magnanelli, Taider; Sansone, Zaza, Flores

Napoli: Cabral; Maggio, Koulibaly, Albiol, Zuniga; Gargano, Inler, Callejon, Hamsik, Mertens; Higuain

Sports Mole says: 1-3


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Sassuolo's Simone Zaza is congratulated by teammates after scoring his team's opening goal against Atalanta on November 24, 2013
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1SassuoloSassuolo1494129121731
2SpeziaSpezia148602281430
3Pisa1493225121330
4Cesena146442319422
5Cremonese146351917221
6BariBari144821813520
7Palermo144641412218
8Brescia145361820-218
9Juve StabiaJuve Stabia144641316-318
10Mantova144551417-317
11CatanzaroCatanzaro1421021513216
12Sampdoria144461719-216
13Carrarese144461215-316
14Cosenza CalcioCosenza144731414015
15Modena143651920-115
16Reggiana143651416-215
17SudtirolSudtirol144191423-913
18Salernitana143471322-913
19Cittadella14338822-1412
20FrosinoneFrosinone14176819-1110


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