MX23RW : Sunday, February 2 11:55:41| >> :600:5244872:5244872:
[monks data]
Sassuolo logo
Serie A
Sep 28, 2014 at 11.30am UK
 
Napoli logo

0-1

FT(HT: 0-1)
Callejon (28')

Preview: Sassuolo vs. Napoli

Sports Mole looks ahead to Sunday's Serie A clash between struggling Sassuolo and out-of-form Napoli.

Napoli travel to the Stadio Citta del Tricolore to take on Sassuolo on Sunday in a match that could have a major say on the future of manager Rafael Benitez.

The Spaniard insists that he does not fear the sack, but defeat against one of the league's smallest clubs would provide yet more ammo for those who want him out of Naples.

The growing discontent is born out of a slow start to the Serie A season, with Napoli picking up just one win and four points from their opening four matches.

Back-to-back 1-0 defeats to Chievo and Udinese respectively were followed up by a 3-3 draw at home to Palermo on Wednesday, leaving the club without a win since the opening day.

Failure to reach the Champions League group stages has also contributed to a hugely disappointing start to the campaign, but Saturday's match should provide the perfect opportunity for Benitez to pick up three much-needed points.

Sassuolo were on the wrong end of a 7-0 drubbing at the hands of Inter Milan just a fortnight ago and, although things have slightly improved since then with consecutive goalless draws, they are still awaiting their first win of the season.

They have also scored just once in the current campaign, with that coming on the opening day to earn a draw against fellow strugglers Cagliari.

Simone Zaza was absent from the midweek draw with Fiorentina due to an injury concern, but he should be fit enough to play this weekend and could be joined in the starting lineup by Saphir Taider.

There will be no Gianluca Pegolo or Thomas Manfredini for the hosts due to injury, however, while Domenico Berardi is suspended for the match.

As for Napoli, they are missing Giandomenico Mesto and potentially Jorginho through injury, but Gonzalo Higuain should return to the starting lineup.

Recent form

Sassuolo: DDLDW

Napoli: DLWLWL

Possible starting lineups

Sassuolo: Consigli; Vrsaljko, Antei, Ariaudo, Peluso; Biondini, Magnanelli, Taider; Sansone, Zaza, Flores

Napoli: Cabral; Maggio, Koulibaly, Albiol, Zuniga; Gargano, Inler, Callejon, Hamsik, Mertens; Higuain

Sports Mole says: 1-3


ID:179019: cacheID:179019:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4829:
Written by
Barney Corkhill
No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Sassuolo's Simone Zaza is congratulated by teammates after scoring his team's opening goal against Atalanta on November 24, 2013
Read Next:
Team News: Five changes for Sassuolo
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1SassuoloSassuolo24174353252855
2Pisa24165341202153
3SpeziaSpezia24139238152348
4Cremonese23107634241037
5CatanzaroCatanzaro2471433225735
6Juve StabiaJuve Stabia248972528-333
7BariBari2361252521430
8Palermo2486102523230
9Modena2461263130130
10Cesena2486103234-230
11Reggiana237792426-228
12Mantova2461082934-528
13Carrarese2376102028-827
14Cittadella2476111936-1727
15Brescia2351082933-425
16Sampdoria2451092835-725
17SudtirolSudtirol2364132639-1322
18Salernitana2356122233-1121
19FrosinoneFrosinone2349101834-1621
20Cosenza CalcioCosenza24410102230-818


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!