Saturday, January 8, 2011

Italian Serie A Round 19 - Napoli vs Juventus - Preview

Napoli and Juventus are both coming off losses in the last round, to Inter and Parma respectively. Both teams however have performed fairly well in the Serie A this season both sitting the in the top five on the League table. Having not yet faced each other this season the clash is expected to be one of the best this week in Italy.

Juventus were comprehensively decimated against Parma midweek. Lead by a Giovinco double Parma recorded four goals agains the Bianconeri, something which has not been done this season. During the week Juventus managed to sign Luca Toni who has been included in the squad to play Napoli.

After the midweek loss to Inter Napoli will want to rebound. Leonardo revitalised Inter with his arrival and Napoli were to bear the full force of his arrival. Napoli will want to prove why they are sitting in third place on the Serie A and will hope to do so infront of their home fans

Napoli Team News: Napoli will go into the clash without any injury concerns. Juventus' defence will have to be weary of their three pronged attack lead by prolific goalscorer Cavani, who is backed up by Lavezzi and Hamsik.

Juventus Team News: Juventus have once again a season marred by injuries, including the most recent to star striker Quagliarella, who is now out for the season. Along with this Felipe Melo is banned for three games as a result of kicing a player in the face midweek. Luca Toni however joins the squad after his free transfer deal. Juventus will also be without Buffon, Rinaudo, Martinez and De Ceglie.

The game will prove to be a key match in terms of deciding the top four going into the second half of the season. Napoli will come out wanting to win and cement their position, and may just be too strong for a decimated Juventus side.

Match Prediction: Napoli 1 - Juventus 0