Napoli will look to continue their eight match undefeated streak against Catania with their eyes set on the UEFA Champions League spot. The match will be a good test for the Partenopei side who are craving to get back into the
European Competition, after a heart breaking exit at the hands of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786.
Napoli (4) will host Catania (8) in matchday 29 encounter of the 2011/12 Serie A on Sunday, March 25th at 13:00 GMT.
The Partenopei come into the match on the back of a crucial win against Siena, while the Rossazzurri won their last two encounters against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lazio-c39775 and Fiorentina, and look to be in convincing form.
The last meeting of the two teams in Serie A ended in a 2-1 victory for Catania.
Napoli
Walter Mazzarri’s side are in prime form despite their recent disappointment in London. They have baffled oppositions with phenomenal counter attacking ability coupled with a good defensive display in league matches. The Partenopei
are riding an eight-game unbeaten run in Serie A, and five of those have ended with a clean sheet for them. The Azzurri have scored 14 goals in the last five Serie A matches, and have their confidence soaring sky high following their recent 3-2 aggregate win
against Siena, which saw them move to the final of the Coppa Italia.
Although Catania overcame Napoli in their last league encounter earlier this year, the Azzurri have won two, and drawn two of the last five encounters between the two sides. The last two contests played at Stadio San Paolo, however,
saw the Partenopei overcome Catania for a victory.
Catania
The Elephants are also having a steady run in the Serie A. Vincenzo Montella’s side remain unbeaten in their last six matches, and have kept clean sheets in the last three games. The away form of the Rossazzurri has been a worrying
feature of this year’s campaign, having won just two of their 14 away matches this season. Catania drew seven and lost five of the away games, and conceded a worrying 26 away goals in the process. Considering Napoli’s phenomenal attacking line-up, the visitor’s
defence will be put to a grave test.
However, the Partenopei have shown cracks in the defence, and Catania’s best chance will be to get a couple in counter attacks.
Team News
Napoli
Walter Mazzarri will rest http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Christian-Maggio-c9098 featured
a brilliant return from the injury in the win over Siena in Coppa Italia, and has earned his inclusion in the starting line-up.
Expected Starting Line-up: De Sanctis, Fernandez, Cannavaro, Aronica, Maggio, Dzemaili, Inler, Dossena, Hamsik, Lavezzi, Cavani
Catania
Vincenzo Montella will be delighted to welcome http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Marco-Motta-c23718 will sit out the match due to injury,
and is expected to be replaced by http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Giuseppe-Bellusci-c15019.
Expected Starting Line-up: Carrizo, Bellusci, Legrottaglie, Spolli, Marchese, Izco, Lodi, Almiron, Gomez, Bergessio, Barrientos
Players to Watch:
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Napoli-c40003)
El Matador is the leading scorer for the team, and proved his consistent form with a score against Siena, that sent his team flying into the Coppa Italia Final. Napoli will be looking to display the same intensity of counter attacking
football and the Uruguayan will remain at the heart of the play for the Partenopei.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Francesco-Lodi-c13924 (Catania)
The 28-year-old has been the shining star in Catania’s campaign this season with eight goals to his name. The midfielder will be hoping to make an illustrious comeback against Napoli. The Sicilian’s return will boost the visitor’s
chances of giving the hosts a run for their money.
Predictions
Both the sides have displayed a good nick in the league matches recently, but Napoli will have the edge over the Sicilians. The Partenopei have displayed a compelling form at home since the winter break, and the extraordinary fire
power and fluent play of the Azzurri will be too much for Catania to handle.
Prediction: 2-1
Tags: