Sunday March 20th 2011, 7.45pm GMT (live on ESPN)
Napoli managed their first win in three weeks last Sunday evening in the same game which saw playmaker Ezequiel Lavezzi return from a three-match suspension. Coincidence? No - in fact, the second half of this game encapsulated just how crucial the presence of their Argentinian playmaker has been to Napoli’s successes this season.
Parma had taken a surprise lead over the visitors before Lavezzi sprung to life in the second half to spark an impressive recovery by his team. Frontman Edinson Cavani hasn’t scored in the last month, but Lavezzi’s return is likely to help the second most prolific striker in Serie A to find the net again. Napoli will need to show consistency if they are to remain ahead of in-form Udinese, who sit just three points behind the Azzurri with a superior goal difference.
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| Captain Paolo Cannavaro - key to Napoli's defensive unit |
Cagliari’s recent form had been respectable until they became Udinese’s latest victims last week. After a very disappointing start to the season, the Sardinians have managed to accumulate enough points to practically ensure safety from relegation. They are currently in tenth place in Serie A, and have demonstrated impressive team spirit since losing top scorer Alessandro Matri to Juventus in January.
The Stadio San Paolo is a proverbial fortress for Napoli, and the last time they conceded a league goal here was when they beat Bologna 4-1 on November 21st last. Expect the home side to keep a clean sheet for the sixteenth time this season while claiming all three points from Sunday evening’s game.
Prediction – Napoli to win to nil – 3pts
Match odds: Napoli 4/7
Draw 13/5
Cagliari 5/1
Napoli to win to nil 6/4
Napoli: Last 5 Serie A Results
13.03.2011 – Parma 1-3 Napoli
06.03.2011 – Napoli 0-0 Brescia
28.02.2011 – AC Milan 3-0 Napoli
20.02.2011 – Napoli 1-0 Catania
12.02.2011 – Roma 0-2 Napoli
Cagliari: Last 5 Serie A Results
13.03.2011 – Cagliari 0-4 Udinese
06.03.2011 – Bologna 2-2 Cagliari
27.02.2011 – Cagliari 1-0 Lazio
19.02.2011 – Inter 1-0 Cagliari
13.02.2011 – Cagliari 4-1 Chievo
