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Serie A Preview: Fiorentina - Napoli

The in-form Viola take on a resurgent Neapolitan side in what should be an exciting game of football.....

Oct 23, 2009 11:00:00 AM

Adrian Mutu - Debrecen-Fiorentina - Champions League (AFP/Getty Images)

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Adrian Mutu - Debrecen-Fiorentina - Champions League (AFP/Getty Images)

Teams

Kick-Off: Sunday, October 25, 15:00 CET.
Stadio Artemio Franchi, Florence

Carrying On With The Good Form

Fiorentina have finished fourth in Serie A for the past two seasons and are already on their way to doing the same, and perhaps something even more. The Viola are fourth in the table, level on points with one of the Scudetto favourites, Juventus, and just four behind leaders Inter.

Cesare Prandelli's side are in a great run of form too, having not lost a match in any competition for over a month. The Gigliati held Juventus to a 1-1 draw in Turin last weekend before defeating Debrecen 4-3 away in the Champions League in midweek. They have scored only eight goals in the league so far but have the joint best defensive record, having shipped in just five strikes.

Fiorentina's home record is almost impeccable, having won three games and drawn one, but they should be wary of a Napoli side that do possess the quality to rapidly rise up the table and who in Walter Mazzarri now have a good and capable coach at long last. Adrian Mutu and Alberto Gilardino looked good in midweek and both were among the goals.

A Resurgent Partenopei

Napoli's season had been a disaster until Roberto Donadoni was given his marching orders as coach of the team. Walter Mazzarri took over and led the former Italian champions to a somewhat awkward 2-1 come-from-behind victory over Bologna at Stadio San Paolo last weekend.

That victory propelled the Neapolitans to 14th in the standings, four points above the relegation zone, and now talk of the talented but under-performing side making it to Europe has resurfaced.

Of course, Napoli have a long way to go before they can genuinely lay a claim to that honour, but they can only improve from now on. Fiorentina are a very strong side at home and are chasing a top four position, but their defence leaked three goals in midweek and the likes of Marek Hamsik, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Fabio Quagliarella will try to exploit the gaps in the Viola back line on Sunday afternoon.

FORM GUIDE

Fiorentina

October 20 v Debrecen (A) - WON 4-3 (Champions League)

October 17 v Juventus (A) - DREW 1-1 (Serie A)

October 4 v Lazio (H) - DREW 0-0 (Serie A)

September 29 v Liverpool (H) - WON 2-0 (Champions League)

September 26 v Livorno (A) - WON 1-0 (Serie A)

Napoli

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)

September 23 v Inter (A) – LOST 3-1 (Serie A)

September 19 v Udinese (H) – DREW 0-0 (Serie A)

TEAM NEWS

Fiorentina

Fiorentina might not be able to field their strongest line-up on Sunday as Gilardino could be dropped to the bench, implying that Mutu could be deployed as a loan striker. Savio and Marco Marchionni both are unavailable for this match.

Probable Line-up (4-2-3-1): Frey, De Silvestri, Gamberini, Kroldrup, Gobbi; Montolivo, Zanetti; Santana, Mutu, Vargas; Gilardino

Napoli

Mazzarri will not be able field his first choice regulars either. Defender Paolo Cannavaro is suspended and Juan Zuniga will miss the trip to Florence because of a muscle problem. In addition, both Fabiano Santacroce and goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis are unavailable for this game.

Probably Line-up (3-4-3): Iezzo, Grava, Rinaudo, Contini; Maggio, Pazienza, Gargano, Hamsik; Aronica, Quagliarella, Lavezzi

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Adrian Mutu (Fiorentina)

The Romanian striker has been in the news recently for all the wrong reasons. However, he twice scored to help his side to an away victory over Debrecen in the Champions League. The former Chelsea striker has registered only once in the league so far this season, but Mutu will be the main threat for Fiorentina when they take on Napoli on Sunday afternoon.

Marek Hamsik (Napoli)

The Slovakian international has scored five goals already for Napoli in Serie A this season and has been arguably their most consistent player. Hamsik will again be the midfielder-in-chief for the Naples-based side in Florence.

PREDICTION

This fixture promises to be an exciting one and could feature a number of goals. Napoli will deploy a 3-4-3 system which will give more balance to their game, but Fiorentina at home are unbeaten in the league so far. It is hard to see the Neapolitans taking anything more than a point from the Artemio Franchi.

Fiorentina 2-2 Napoli

Subhankar Mondal, Goal.com

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