Third-placed Napoli need the three points in order to consolidate their position when they travel to Palermo on Saturday evening for a derby of the South. Palermo have been in poor shape lately, especially after the winter break, and they have snatched just one win out of their last five games. Napoli on the other hand are coming from six consecutive wins in all competitions as they are still fighting on three fronts: league, Coppa Italia and Europa League.
Napoli are currently seven points clear of Fiorentina in the battle for the third place, the last spot that guarantees Champions League football next season. Moreover, they are just four points behind second-placed Roma and they could cut that deficit if they win at Palermo. Next week, on Thursday, Napoli face Trabzonspor in the Europa League.
Jose Callejon and Jonathan de Guzman could feature from the start after being on the bench during last week's 3-1 win over Udinese. Palermo will be relying again on Argentinian forward Paulo Dybala, a player that might get sold sooner rather than later considering the interest from various big clubs in Europe.
Probable line-ups:
Palermo: Sorrentino - Terzi, Gonzalez, Daprela, Morganella - Rigoni, Jajalo, Barretto, Lazaar - Silva, Dybala
Napoli: Rafael - Ghoulam, Britos, Albiol, Maggio - Inler, De Guzman, Callejon, Mertens, Hamsik - Higuain
My prediction: Napoli to win 2-1.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Palermo win - 3/1 Draw - 23/10 Napoli win - 1/1
timidi 9 years ago
Palermo is great team at home, and I think that nobody like to be guest at their stadium. They won this match and I was expecting this because this winning streak of Napoli must come to end and this match was hard. So Napoli lost, but this is no big deal for them, they will be third at the end because Fiorentina can't race...
Palermo is great team at home, and I think that nobody like to be guest at their stadium. They won this match and I was expecting this because this winning streak of Napoli must come to end and this match was hard. So Napoli lost, but this is no big deal for them, they will be third at the end because Fiorentina can't race with them, Fiorentina just don't have enough quality for that.
Show morePlease enter your comment.
Your comment is added.
h34dhunt3r
9 years ago
While Palermo has been playing decen recently, Napoli is big favourite to take this one home. Draw is possibility, but I dont think that Napoli will put their 3rd position in jeperdy.
Please enter your comment.
Your comment is added.
sharpe
9 years ago
In this game every result is possible so will be tough to give a prediction. Yes Napoli are the favourites on paper and for shore they have a stronger squad then the opponents but like Seculla said Palermo have a strong home record and maybe draw will be a logical result in the end.
Please enter your comment.
Your comment is added.
seculla
9 years ago
I'm always saying that playing in Sicily against Palermo is always hard. When you see how this season Palermo plays on their own stadium you will see that I'm right, they have 6 wins, 4 draws and they only lost from Lazio. On the other side Napoli have very good team and they playing very good last couple of years but their...
I'm always saying that playing in Sicily against Palermo is always hard. When you see how this season Palermo plays on their own stadium you will see that I'm right, they have 6 wins, 4 draws and they only lost from Lazio. On the other side Napoli have very good team and they playing very good last couple of years but their problem that they are not having consistency in their form. Anyway, this game will be tough for both sides but I think that this game will be draw at the end.
Show morePlease enter your comment.
Your comment is added.