Serie A Preview: Juventus - Napoli

Saturday Oct 31, 2009 6:00 PM CET

Juventus Applying The Pressure On Inter

Juventus are beginning to rediscover the form they had shown during the early part of the season before losing for several weeks between September and October. Six points from two games have seen the Old Lady move to within touching distance of league leaders Inter. The Old Lady were not brilliant against Siena last Sunday, but they turned it on and beat Sampdoria in style during the midweek round of matches. It was a different Juve on show at the Olimpico. Confidence was brewing throughout the team.

Amauri scored his fourth consecutive goal with a double. He recently claimed he wouldn't stop scoring and he appears to be right. His eight month drought in Serie A is well behind him.

The Brazilian-born ace is playing confidently and with panache. His hard work is paying off and he is doing all his magic tricks too. His mazy run and dummy as he supplied Giorgio Chiellini with an assist to score the second against 'Doria was outstanding. Mauro Camoranesi added a third from Sebastian Giovinco's pass, before Amauri grabbed the fourth. There was also room for David Trezeguet as super Juventus started to fly again.

Ciro Ferrara will be hoping for more of the same against Napoli. The last team these two met here was back in February. That game ended 1-0 thanks to Claudio Marchisio. He is out injured and will not feature following recent knee surgery. Juve have not lost to Napoli in Turin since 1988. That game ended 5-3 to the visitors. Dino Zoff was the Juventus coach will Brazilian striker Careca grabbed a hat-trick for the Azzurri. Inter went on to win their 13^th title that season.

Juve will be hoping lighting doesn't strike twice this season. An exciting game is on the horizon, and it's time to keep the pressure gauge pointing towards Inter.

Napoli's Mixed Form

Walter Mazzarri was hoping to come to Turin having beaten Milan on Wednesday. He had told his players to think about each game as it comes, but perhaps they were thinking ahead as they were lucky not to have lost to the Rossoneri. Over 65,000 fans turned up to the San Paolo, but they were left to ponder whether it was worth it after just five minutes. Filippo Inzaghi scored after three minutes and Alexandre Pato added a second before 300 seconds of football had been played.

The Partenopei, however, fought back brilliantly to draw the game 2-2, but the result still left president Aurelio De Laurentiis rubbing his beard in the stands. Whatever he believes, the side were excellent throughout the 90 minutes. Mazzarri won't have to go back to the drawing board for this one, but maybe some work needs to be done in defence. The back four of Gianluca Grava, Hugo Campagnaro, Leandro Rinaudo and Salvatore Aronica were shocking in the opening few minutes against Milan. The Azzurri must concentrate from the start and cannot allow Juve the time and space, given the form their opponents are in. Not winning here in over two decades will also add to the pressure.

Napoli were able to scrape a point at the old Stadio Delle Alpi back in 1998. That game ended in a 2-2 draw. Alessandro Del Piero scored one of the goals in that game. He may well be back to haunt the Azzurri after recovering from injury. Fabio Quagliarella recently said his side were top six material, he needs to start scoring more if they are to deliver those promises.

FORM GUIDE

Juventus

October 28 v Napoli (H) – WON 5-1 (Serie A)

October 25 v Siena (A) - WON 1-0 (Serie A)

October 20 v Maccabi Haifa (H) - WON 1-0 (Champions League)

October 17 v Fiorentina (H) - DREW 1-1 (Serie A)

October 4 v Palermo (A) - LOST 2-0 (Serie A)

Napoli

October 28 v Milan (H) - DREW 2-2 (Serie A)

October 25 v Fiorentina (A) - WON 1-0 (Serie A)

October 18 v Bologna (H) - WON 2-1 (Serie A)

October 4 v Roma (A) - LOST 2-1 (Serie A)

September 27 v Siena (H) - WON 2-1 (Serie A)

Team News

Captain and talisman Alessandro Del Piero has returned to training and may feature at some point against Napoli. Martin Caceres is the most recent casualty. He misses this one following nose surgery on Wednesday. Vincenzo Iaquinta and Claudio Marchisio are both long term absentees, following knee surgery to both men. Tiago and Hasan Salihamidzic are doubtful, while Jonathan Zebina is recovering from a muscular strain.

Probable Starting XI 4-2-3-1: Buffon; Grygera, Cannavaro, Chiellini, Grosso; Poulsen, Sissoko, Camoranesi, Giovinco, Diego; Amauri

Napoli

Reported Juventus target Juan Camilo Zuniga is injured, as is Fabiano Santacroce. Matteo Contini returns from the one match ban that kept him out of the Milan game. There are no other injury concerns for Walter Mazzarri. Paolo Cannavaro may start following his recent return to the fold.

Probable Starting XI 4-2-3-1: De Sanctis; Grava, Rinaudo, Cannavaro, Aronica; Maggio, Pazienza, Gargano; Hamsik, Lavezzi; Quagliarella.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Amauri (Juventus)

The Brazilian-born Italy wannabe scored a double during the week as he continues to rediscover his form. Napoli's wobbly defence will have to be on alert in Turin. Amauri is proving his worth, but will Italy coach Marcello Lippi be watching?

Marek Hamsik (Napoli)

The Slovakian is one of Napoli's most consistent players this season. He should have scored against Milan, but pulled the strings throughout. The Old Lady will need to be aware of his silky movements in and around the box.

PREDICTION

Napoli are desperate to show their mettle after again, after drawing with the Rossoneri and so they will be confident of getting a result. Walter Mazzarri will have prepared well for this one. With Juve's minds set on the Champions League clash against Maccabi Haifa next week, this could give the Azzurri the chance to cause an upset. Juve on the other hand confirmed their home form and should be in for another three points.

Juventus 2-1 Napoli

Salvatore Landolina, Goal.com