Napoli v Juventus- Sunday 6 November– Stadio San Paolo (21:45)
Napoli v Juventus
The Italian Serie A is starting to hot up as things are tight at the top of the table. All top 6 teams are within touching distance of each other and this clash promises to be fiercely contested. Both these teams are playing some exceptional football thus far and have stated their intent from the get-go.
Napoli kicked-off their season in good fashion as they topped the table at the beginning stages of the season. They raised a few eyebrows after an emphatic victory over title contenders Udinese. However they have slacked off the pace in recent matches as they went down 2-1 in this past weekend’s encounter against Catania dropping them to 6th spot on the table. Manger Walter Mazzarri was furious at the final whistle as he felt certain decisions didn’t go his team’s way, but also blasted his squad’s lack luster performance. Mazzari guided Napoli to an impressive 3rd spot finish last campaign, ensuring their passage way into the UEFA Champions League and stated he expects his players to gain confidence from that and give a strong account of a title challenge this campaign. Napoli have got a good balance amongst their team with the likes of Gokhan Inler, Andrea Dossena and club captain Paolo Cannavaro all providing the necessary experience to help the more youthful players within the squad. A lot rest on the shoulders of new sensation Marek Hamšík as the Slovakian is in great form and has struck up a lethal combination with lanky striker Edinson Cavani and Argentinean Ezequiel Lavezzi. This team has all the right ingredients to have a say in the title race.
Juventus are in terrific form as they continue to brush all that come before them aside and maintain their spot at the top of the table. They are the only team in the league yet to experience defeat as they have proved a difficult team to break down. They are coming off a morale boosting victory as they upended one of their main and bitter rivals Inter Milan by 2-1 in a much anticipated and heated affair. Manger Antonio Conte was over the moon with this victory and stated that a win like this can only do wonders for confidence and also stated their intent for this season. Juventus are working together like a well oiled machine as defense complements attack and this is the key reason for their great run of form. They brought in familiar faces such as Andrea Pirlo and Mirko Vucinic who have been plying their trade in the Italian league for many years and provide the vital experience that is needed. Juventus have a well balanced squad that can push all the way and bring them their first title since the 2002-2003 season.
Both teams will want to continue their pursuit on the log and 3 points for either team will go a long way in giving them the edge. Juventus are the best bet to maintain their unbeaten run.
