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Chievo logo
Serie A
Feb 1, 2015 at 2pm UK
 
Napoli logo

1-2

Britos (25' og.)
FT(HT: 1-1)
Cesar (18' og.), Gabbiadini (62')

Preview: Chievo vs. Napoli

Sports Mole previews the match in Serie A between Chievo and Napoli.

Napoli travel to Chievo on Sunday afternoon aware that they could drop down to fifth in the league table unless they can secure three points at Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi.

Despite recording 12 points from their last six games, Rafael Benitez's side remain under pressure from Lazio and Sampdoria in the race for third spot, while they have six points to make up if they want to challenge Roma in second place.

Much of their goalscoring hopes rest on the shoulders of striker Gonzalo Higuain, with the Argentine netting another double last weekend to take his recent tally to seven strikes in six games.

Benitez is unlikely to tinker with his starting lineup but winger Dries Mertens could be included should the Spaniard opt to make an alteration in attack.

Chievo's defeat to Juventus last week has seen them fall into the relegation zone in Serie A but the Gialloblu weren't disgraced in falling to a 2-0 setback in Turin.

However, only letting in two goals to the leaders ensured that they maintained their record of not conceding more than twice in a match since October 18.

Head coach Rolando Maran could bring Cristiano Biraghi into his defence in place of Nicolas Frey.

Chievo will perhaps take confidence from the fact that one of their four league victories this season came in the reverse fixture in Naples.

Chievo:

Recent form: LWDDLL

Possible starting lineup: Bizzarri, Gamberini, Dainelli, Biraghi, Zukanovic, Birsa, Hetemaj, Schelotto, Cofie, Paloschi, Botta

Napoli:

Form in Serie A: LWWLWW
Form in all competitions: WWLWWW

Possible starting lineup: Rafael, Albiol, Strinic, Koulibaly, De Guzman, Maggio, Inler, Hamsik, David Lopez, Higuain, Jose Callejon

Sports Mole says: 1-2


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Rafael Benitez head coach of Napoli during the UEFA Champions League qualifying play-off first leg match between SSC Napoli and Athletic Club on August 19, 2014
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3Juventus341811547262165
4Bologna341712549272263
5Roma34178961412059
6Atalanta BCAtalanta331761061372457
7Lazio34174134335855
8Fiorentina331481150371350
9Napoli341311105243950
10Torino341113103131046
11Monza341111123644-844
12Genoa341012123840-242
13Lecce34812143149-1836
14CagliariCagliari34711163659-2332
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19SassuoloSassuolo3468204070-3026
RSalernitana3429232673-4715


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