MX23RW : Sunday, November 24 17:15:07| >> :120:5289:5289:
[monks data]
Napoli logo
Serie A
Dec 18, 2014 at 8pm UK
 
Parma logo

2-0

Zapata (19'), Mertens (30' pen.)
FT(HT: 2-0)

Preview: Napoli vs. Parma

Sports Mole looks ahead to the Serie A encounter between Napoli and Parma at the Stadio San Paolo.

If recent reports are to be believed, Rafael Benitez is just a bad result or two away from losing his position as the head coach of Napoli.

A run of three successive draws against Cagliari, Sampdoria and Empoli was followed at the weekend by a 2-0 defeat at the hands of AC Milan, which has left Benitez's men seventh in Serie A and some 12 points adrift of leaders Juventus.

Consequently, Benitez will be well aware that he is in need of a positive outcome from Thursday evening's home clash against Parma.

However, the Partenopei have struggled for form in front of their own supporters, having won just three of their seven encounters at the Stadio San Paolo.

In terms of team selection, Benitez could recall Slovakian playmaker Marek Hamsik, who started the defeat to Milan last time out, among the substitutes. Swiss midfielder Gokhan Inler is also in contention to feature, with Gonzalo Higuain expected to lead the attack.

As for visiting Parma, Napoli face a side that is rooted to the bottom of the table, with only two wins all campaign.

Up front, leading goalscorer Antonio Cassano, who has scored five goals, should start.

Napoli:

Form in Serie A: WWDDDL
Form in all competitions: DDDDWL

Possible starting lineup: Rafael; Ghoulam, Albiol, Koulibaly, Mesto; De Guzman, Inler; Mertens, Hamsik, Callejon; Higuain

Parma:

Form in Serie A: WLLLLD
Form in all competitions: WLLLLD

Possible starting lineup: Mirante; Lucarelli, Santacroce, Costa; De Ciglie, Rispoli, Galloppa, Lodi, Mauri; Cassano, Palladino

Sports Mole says: 2-0


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Napoli's Dries Mertens celebrates after scoring the opening goal against Hellas Verona during their Serie A match on January 12, 2014
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Atalanta BCAtalanta1391334161828
2Inter Milan1384131141728
3Fiorentina1384127101728
4Napoli128221991026
5Juventus136702171425
6Lazio1281325141125
7AC Milan125432014619
8Bologna114611513218
9Udinese125161518-316
10Empoli12363910-115
11Torino134361619-315
12Roma123451417-313
13Parma132651721-412
14Hellas VeronaHellas Verona134091732-1512
15CagliariCagliari132561424-1011
16Genoa132561124-1311
17Como132471325-1210
18Monza131661116-59
19Lecce12237521-169
20VeneziaVenezia122281121-108


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