Walter Mazzarri’s men looking to secure their fifth consecutive league win to strengthen their charge for a top three finish; Cagliari look to end their winless streak.
Napoli (5th) will host Cagliari (15th) in matchday 27 encounter of the season at Stadio San Paolo on Friday, 9 March at 19:45 GMT.
Walter Mazzarri’s men come into this game on the back of a 2-1 win over Parma last weekend. On the other hand, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Davide-c10638 Ballardini’s side were thrashed 3-0 by Siena in their respective matchday 26 game.
The two teams played a goalless stalemate in the return fixture of the season at Stadio Sant’Elia in October 2011.
Napoli
The Azzurri have won their last four league matches, and a victory against Cagliari will put them in the 4th spot for at least 36 hours. The Partenopei side has been a lethal force at Stadio San Paolo compared to the
last season, as they have won only six of the 13 games played at home.
They have lost only two matches at home this season, and only AC Milan and Juventus have lost fewer home games than them.
Cagliari
The Sardinian side is not enjoying the best of forms of late, having won only once in their last five matches. Their away form is not something the Rossoblu fans will be proud of, having won only one of their last games on the
travel.
Their defence has been leaking a lot of goals of late, as they conceded three goals against Siena in their previous outing. Cagliari’s last win over Napoli came in the Partenopei side’s return to Serie A in 2007, as they triumphed
by 2-0.
Team News
Napoli
The host’s will be without the services of Blerim Dzemaili, who is suspended for the game. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Salvatore-Aronica-c32276 served his one-match ban against Parma last week, and will be available for selection.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 next week.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Goran-Pandev-c15161 will replace the Uruguayan.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Napoli-c40003 (probable): De Sanctis; Campagnaro, Cannavaro, Aronica; Maggio, Gargano, Inler, Zuniga; Hamsik, Lavezzi; Cavani
Cagliari
The visitors will be without the services of strike duo, Moestafa El Kabir and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Thiago-Ribeiro-c34900 are expected to lead the attack for the Sardine based club.
Cagliari (probable): Agazzi; Pisano, Canini, Astori, Agostini; Dessena, Conti, Nainggolan; Cossu; Thiago Ribeiro, Nene
Players to Watch
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ezequiel-Lavezzi-c13073 (Napoli)
The Argentine international has been in red hot form of late, having scored five goals in the last four matches for the Partenopei outfit. The former http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/San-Lorenzo-c40436 star will be anchoring Napoli’s attack if Cavani is rested for the
game.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Radja-Nainggolan-c30301 (Cagliari)
The Belgian’s form has been a revelation for Cagliari this season, as he has been phenomenal in the midfield role. Nainggolan’s impressive form has made him a hot property in the transfer market, with Juventus and Manchester City
believed to be tracking the talented midfielder.
Prediction
Napoli are desperate to finish amongst the top-three, and will look to continue their impressive run against the Rossoblu.
Verdict: 2-0
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