Napoli vs Juventus Preview

February 28, 2013 By Gregory Sica

The top-two sides of the Serie A lock horns in what promises to be a mouthwatering clash in Naples on Friday.

Much is at stake as Napoli and Juventus do battle in a top-of-the-table fixture that could surely have a significant bearing on the final outcome of the Serie A this season.

Napoli trail the league leaders by six points after 26 rounds of the competition, and will be hoping to cut the gap by claiming what would be an extremely valuable victory at the Stadio San Paolo.

The hosts are more than aware of the fact that if they are beaten on Friday, Juventus would stretch their lead at the top of the Serie A to nine points, with just eleven games left to play this season.

Napoli, who lost 2-0 against Juventus when the sides met at Juventus Stadium earlier in the season, have experienced a recent slump which has seen them fail to win any of their last five games in all competitions.

What boosts Napoli's chances of returning to winning ways is that apart from Alessandro Gamberini, who is injured, they will count with a full-strength squad.

While Gamberini's vacancy will be occupied by Uruguayan defender Miguel Britos, Pablo Armero and Giandonmenico Mesto are expected to replace Juan Zuniga and Christian Maggio.

Like usual, Edinson Cavani, the Serie A's leading scorer with 18 goals, will lead the line up front, and will surely be Napoli's most potent threat.

Rivals Juventus are unbeaten in their last four league games against Napoli, and will play their hearts out in order to extend that number to five. La Vecchia Signora understand that they have a huge opportunity to close-in on what could possibly be back-to-back Serie A titles.

Juventus boss Antonio Conte will be delighted by the fact that he will be able to count with a full-strength side with Giorgio Chiellini returning to action for the first time since December.

Both Martin Caceres and Nicolas Anelka suffer from back pain, and even if they recover in time for the game, are expected to take their place on the substitute's bench.

Conte has confirmed that Mirko Vucinic and Sebastian Giovinco will feature in a Juventus attack that has found wide success this season.