February 20th 2011, 7.45pm GMT (live on ESPN, Setanta Irl)
When a team maintains a challenge for the Scudetto in the manner that Napoli have this term, most players can take credit – however it is impossible to underestimate the value of a certain €16 million signing from Palermo.
Edinson Cavani’s brace at Roma brought his Serie A goal tally to 20 last Saturday. The current top goalscorer in the league is also a team player however, and his overall contribution has helped Napoli maintain their grip on second place. Their defence also deserves credit, having conceded only a single goal at home in 2011 – and that came in a 2-1 cup win over Bologna.
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| Skillful Columbian Zúñiga may replace Lavezzi on Sunday |
Catania came from behind last week to beat Lecce 3-2, their first win under Diego Simone. The Sicilians have failed to win on the road in a season where they have collected just four points away from the Stadio Angelo Massimino. Catania will face Napoli’s sturdy home defensive unit having only scored seven goals in their twelve away games so far.
Napoli playmaker Ezequiel Lavezzi will be unavailable for this game, as both he and Roma defender Aleandro Rosi were handed three-match bans following a spitting incident during the Azzurri’s win at the Stadio Olimpico last Sunday. Napoli may not create as many chances without Lavezzi, but I expect them to collect three points and to record another clean sheet at the Stadio San Paolo on Sunday evening.
Prediction – Napoli to win to nil – 3pts
Match odds: Napoli 2/5
Draw 16/5
Catania 7/1
Napoli to win to nil 6/5
Napoli: Last 5 Serie A Results
12.02.2011 – Roma 0-2 Napoli
06.02.2011 – Napoli 2-0 Cesena
02.02.2011 – Chievo 2-0 Napoli
30.01.2011 – Napoli 4-0 Sampdoria
23.01.2011 – Bari 0-2 Napoli
Catania: Last 5 Serie A Results
13.02.2011 – Catania 3-2 Lecce
06.02.2011 – Bologna 1-0 Catania
02.02.2011 – Cesena 1-1 Catania
29.01.2011 – Catania 0-2 AC Milan
22.01.2011 – Parma 2-0 CataniaRelated tags: Serie A, Football, Preview, Predictions, Betting, Napoli, Catania, Inter, Milan, Udinese, Brescia, Cagliari, Cavani, Lavezzi, Sneijder, Eto'o, Di Natale, Italian football.
