Napoli vs. A.S Roma- Derby del Sole
Walter Mazzarri’s side look to compile misery for Luis Enrique in Derby of the Sun...
Napoli will host A.S Roma in Derby del Sole (Derby of the Sun) on Sunday, December 18, 2011 at 19:45 GMT.
It promises to be a mouth-watering affair between two teams in desperate need of a win. After qualifying for the knockout round of the UEFA Champions League, Napoli will be looking to shift their focus on the league and will try to end the year on a high. On the other hand, after a brave draw against Juventus recently, the Giallorossi will look for a win to get them on the right track.
Napoli
The Azzurri’s European participation has taken its toll on their league duties. Walter Mazzarri’s side has dropped too many cheap points and as a result they see themselves drift the league leaders, Juventus by nine points.
Napoli’s home form has not been as impressive as they would have hoped for. The Partenopei outfit is looking to end the year on a high and has targeted wins against Roma and Genoa respectively. Napoli will draw some positives from the corresponding fixture of the last season, as they beat Roma 2-0.
A.S Roma
Roma have been faced with a plethora of problems since the start of the 2011/12 season. Luis Enrique has failed to implement his Catalan philosophy at the Stadio Olimpico. The tactician has used several formations but has failed to get one working. A large group of fans have even protested for sacking of the former http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604 B coach.
The Giallorossi are currently placed 10th in the league table and have picked only 18 points from 14 matches played thus far.
Team News
Napoli
The Partenopei outfit do not have any major injury worries in their camp and have full squad available at their disposal. Mazzarri will look to field his best team as his team’s Champions League adventures are put on hold for two months. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Goran-Pandev-c15161 might play behind the Uruguayan.
Napoli (probable): De Sanctis; Campagnaro, Cannavaro, Aronica; Maggio, Inler, Gargano, Dossena; Hamsik, Lavezzi; Cavani
Roma
Luis Enrique is faced with a plethora of defensive problems. Nicolas Burdisso, Simon Kjaer and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Pablo-Osvaldo-c28996 upfront.
Roma (probable): Stekelenburg; Taddei, De Rossi, Heinze, Jose Angel; Perrotta, Viviani, Gago; Totti; Lamela, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Osvaldo-c28821
Players to Watch
Edinson Cavani (Napoli)
El-Matador will once again be the main man for Napoli if they want to claim all three points from the game. The Uruguayan has scored 7 league goals including a hat-trick against A.C Milan in 11 appearances thus far. He has already missed a handful of matches through injury and his absence has badly affected Napoli’s performances.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Roma-c31603)
The Italian international’s performance against Juventus proved why everyone in Rome wants him to stay at the Stadio Olimpico Rome. The influential midfielder was deployed in an unfamiliar centre-back role and he did not let his boss down. The 28-year-old bagged the only goal of the match for his side and was a rock in the heart of Giallorossi defence.
Prediction
It promises to be an epic battle between two struggling sides but http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Napoli-c40003 are likely to edge out in a high-scoring thriller. Verdict: 3-2
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