As things stand in the league, Juventus currently enjoy a massive 12 point gap over Napoli. In Europe, the Bianconeri are on to the round of 16 in the Champions League while the Partenopei, who were unable to overcome Athletic Bilbao in the play-off rounds, will continue to try to make inroads in the Europa League.
These two sides certainly are not unfamiliar to each other, having contested the 2012 edition of the Supercoppa Italiana in China. That game ended as a 4-2 win in favor of the reigning Scudetto champions, although the match did have to go to extra time. Interestingly, not only will this be the third appearance for Napoli but also it will be yet another meeting with Juventus--with each and every one of the Supercoppa Italiana appearances being against the Turin giants.
It will be a battle of the north versus the south and Napoli will be keen on getting revenge from just two seasons ago. Both Massimiliano Allegri and Rafa Benitez will hope to finish 2014 on a high note as this will be the last game each team plays before the Christmas break. However, both managers will have to contend with absentees.
Juventus are still missing key players such as midfielder Kwadwo Asamoah and defensive pair Andrea Barzagli and Martin Caceres, and talismanic attacker Carlos Tevez, who has been in sparkling form this season is struggling with his own fitness issues. With 13 goals in all competitions, Allegri will hope that the former Manchester City man will be able to again be one of the key focal points of their attack.
Meanwhile, Napoli will have to make do without Michu, Lorenzo Insigne, and Juan Zuniga and hope that Gonzalo Higuain, who has been unusually quiet, will find the back of the net. The Argentinian international has not scored in the league since their 3-3 draw with Cagliari back on November 23rd and, along with one of his teammates, has been linked with an exit in favor of the English Premier League.
After three straight draws, Juventus finally got back to winning ways as they powered past Cagliari 3-1 in their final Serie A game of the calendar year. Napoli also tasted victory against Parma which put an end to a disconcerting winless streak that saw them suffer three straight draws and a loss to Milan that has put them well off the pace to make a serious challenge for the Scudetto.
Rafa Benitez's future in Italy has constantly been the subject of speculation, as has the team's captain, Marek Hamsik but for now, the focus will be on earning their second trophy of 2014 after clinching the Coppa Italia last May.
Juventus, meanwhile, would certainly like to also cap off what has been an interesting year for La Vecchia Signora with some silverware as they hope to make amends in the Champions League in 2015.
Wedstrijdgegevens, uitslag en oorspronkelijke uitzendinformatie
De wedstrijd is afgelopen. Hieronder is de originele live uitzendinformatie voor deze wedstrijd.
Live tv-uitzendingen en streaming in United States
Live tv-uitzendingen en streaming in United States
Volg de wedstrijd onderweg
Download onze iOS en Android apps om wedstrijden soccer onderweg te volgen. De app is voorzien van talloze features, waaronder live tussenstanden, wedstrijden, uitslagen, standen, opstellingen, statistieken, tv-schema's en nog veel meer! Sorry, live streaming is niet mogelijk met de app.
