Sunday March 13th 2011, 7.45pm GMT (live on ESPN)
This is a meeting between two teams who are fighting for points for different reasons. Napoli have picked up just a single point from their last two league games, and as a result have slipped from second to third place in the table, two points above Lazio.
Parma’s erratic form leaves them in fifteenth place in the table, one point above the danger area. They have achieved a consistency of sorts in recent weeks, but their current average of one point per game may well lead them into a nervy end to this league campaign. Parma have certainly not lived up to their fans’ expectations this term having finished last season in eighth place.
Injury worries surround Parma’s attacking trio of Sebatian Giovinco, Hernan Crespo and Carvalho Amauri, who may be selected but are unlikely to be at their best. Massimo Gobbi and Gabriel Paletta will be suspended for Parma on Sunday, as will Napoli’s Andrea Dossena and Salvatore Aronica.
 |
| "El Pocho" - returns from suspension on Sunday evening |
Napoli will receive a huge boost ahead of this fixture as playmaker Ezequiel Lavezzi returns from his three-match suspension. The Azzurri have lacked a cutting edge without Lavezzi, and their top scorer Edinson Cavani has failed to find the net in his absence.
Napoli have been a formidable force this season, and this hasn’t changed overnight. Fans and coaching staff blamed refereeing decisions for their failure to overcome Brescia, and coach Walter Mazzari will be forced to watch this one from the stands as he was sent off for dissent last week. Napoli need to start picking up points again to ensure a successful finish to their season, and Lavezzi’s return should help them to do so on Sunday.
Prediction – Napoli to win – 4pts
Match odds: Parma 9/5
Draw 21/10
Napoli 6/4
Parma: Last 5 Serie A Results
06.03.2011 – Chievo 0-0 Parma
27.02.2011 – Roma 2-2 Parma
20.02.2011 - Parma 2-2 Cesena
12.02.2011 - AC Milan 4-0 Parma
06.02.2011 - Parma 1-1 Fiorentina
Napoli: Last 5 Serie A Results
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
06.02.2011 – Napoli 2-0 Cesena
