Serie A Preview: Napoli - Cagliari

Napoli welcome a reinvigorated Cagliari side to the Stadio San Paolo aiming to get revenge on the Isolani for last term's 2-0 defeat. The Partenopei have been leapfrogged by Juventus in the standings and now lie in fourth place, whereas Massimiliano Allegri's men have amassed 13 points in their last seven games and sit comfortably in the middle of the pack.

The Beginning Of The End?

The lacklustre performance at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia last weekend has brought the Neapolitans crashing down to earth. Edy Reja's troops looked a shadow of the marvellous side that have set Serie A alight so far and the reverse has caused the first tensions inside the dressing room.

President Aurelio De Laurentiis and the Friulan tactician have warned that the players need to buckle down and keep focused, as whispers of indiscipline and wild lifestyles have started to emerge.

"We were too slack, we must stay concentrated and not turn away ties into field trips," bellowed the movie mogul after the 3-1 defeat at the hands of the Orobici.

Local media had whispered about some players being particularly attracted by the Campania capital night life in recent weeks, but the stories had been classed as mere 'gossip' as the Azzurri continued their relentless march in Serie A.

However, following the gutsy efforts against Milan at San Siro, the Vesuviani have been somewhat unable to replicate the scintillating form of the early stages of the campaign.

Aside from a comfortable win over Second Division side Salernitana in the Coppa Italia, they rode their luck a fortnight ago in the home clash with Sampdoria ,who dominated for large spells, only to come away empty-handed from the San Paolo. A reaction is to be expected against Cagliari, otherwise they will risk seeing their campaign fizzle out.

Napoli boast 13 home victories over Cagliari in Serie A, while the Rossoblù have claimed points on ten occasions (4 wins and 6 draws). Their most recent triumph came last season when they conquered the Fuorigrotta-based ground on the opening day of the championship (0-2).

Isolani Savour Purple Patch

Last weekend's astounding defeat of Fiorentina was hailed as a typical Italian-style victory in the peninsula.

The Cagliaritani were forced to soak up the pressure for large spells as the Viola bossed the midfield area and created a number of gilt-edged chances that Alberto Gilardino and co. painfully squandered.

Nonetheless, the Isolani's back-line admirably stood up in the face of such powerful array of stars and repeatedly threatened Sebastien Frey on the counter.

It was their third straight win at the Stadio Sant'Elia, where the last team to claim the full points were Juventus in September.

The Rossoblù now have a five-point cushion separating them from the relegation zone and travel to Campania hoping to repeat last term's exploits.

They completed the double over the Partenopei in the 2007-2008 season, stunning the San Paolo on the first weekend of the tournament with a 2-0 scoreline, and then putting Edy Reja's troops to the sword in Sardinia with two goals deep into stoppage time, after Marek Hamsik had given his side the lead.

FORM GUIDE

Napoli
16 November (Serie A): Atalanta 3-1 Napoli
9 November (Serie A): Napoli 2-0 Sampdoria
2 November (Serie A): Milan 1-0 Napoli
29 October (Serie A): Napoli 3-0 Reggina
26 October (Serie A): Lazio 0-1 Napoli

Cagliari
16 November (Serie A): Cagliari 1-0 Fiorentina
9 November (Serie A): Catania 2-1 Cagliari
2 November (Serie A): Cagliari 5-1 Bologna
29 October (Serie A): Genoa 2-1 Cagliari
26 October (Serie A): Cagliari 2-0 Chievo

Last season: Napoli 0-2 Cagliari

TEAM NEWS

Napoli

Uruguayan striker Marcelo Zalayeta sits out a ban after receiving his marching orders in Bergamo last week. Therefore, Argentine German Denis is expected to retain his place up front alongside compatriot Ezequiel Lavezzi.

Midfielder Mariano Bogliacino is still short of match fitness following his summer surgery for a metatarsal injury and is unlikely to make the bench, in spite of a sub apperance in the Coppa Italia derby with Salernitana last week. Luigi Vitale and Daniele Mannini will vie for a starting shirt on the left channel.

Possible Formation (3-5-2): Iezzo; Santacroce, Cannavaro, Contini; Maggio, Blasi, Gargano, Hamsik, Mannini; Lavezzi, Denis.

Cagliari

Striking ace Robert Acquafresca limped off during the game with Fiorentina last weekend and skipped the U-21 friendly with Germany in midweek. He picked up a right thigh problem and is in doubt for the San Paolo trip, as he has not been able to train properly this week.

Defender Michele Canini is also poised to miss the match because of a left ankle strain, while Francesco Pisano's presence is a big question mark, as he is still not training with the rest of his teammates.

Possible Formation (4-3-1-2): Marchetti; Matheu, Lopez, Bianco, Agostini; Fini, Conti, Biondini; Cossu; Jeda, Matri.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Napoli: Ezequiel Lavezzi

El Pocho has been one of the most consistent players in Serie A this term and he currently tops players' rating charts in the peninsula. He had an off game last Sunday at Atalanta like most of his teammates, but is fired up to leave his mark next weekend after being handed a starting shirt by his idol Diego Maradona in the midweek friendly test with Scotland.

Cagliari: Daniele Conti

The son of legendary Roma and Italy winger Bruno has become a cult figure in Sardinia over the years, he has played over 200 games for the Isolani and he always makes his presence felt in the middle of the park. His vast experience was fundamental in last season's miraculous bid to avoid the drop and he scored a crucial last-gasp winner against the Vesuviani at the Stadio Sant'Elia.

PREDICTION

The Cagliaritani are in high spirits after dispatching Fiorentina last weekend and pulling further clear of the relegation zone, but Napoli are keen to return to winning ways and quickly forget the dire trip to Atalanta. The Azzurri still hold a 100 per cent record on home turf and the San Paolo crowd could ease them to a comfortable success.

Napoli 2-0 Cagliari

Vince Masiello