Napoli – Inter - 7M sport

Napoli – Inter

Posted Saturday, February 13, 2010 by Goal.com

It promises to be a perfect match to enjoy on Valentine’s Day.

Kick-Off: Sunday, February 14, 2010, 20:45 CET.
Stadio San Paolo, Naples.

Recovering From First League Defeat

Napoli suffered their first defeat in Serie A under coach Walter Mazzarri as they went down 3-1 to Udinese in Udine. It robbed them of a chance to close the gap on third-placed Milan but the Neapolitans remain fourth in the standings with 38 points from 23 matches.

Napoli’s form has dropped somewhat in the last two weeks. Prior to losing to Udinese, they were held to a 0-0 draw by Genoa in Naples.

Mazzarri would realize that getting points off Inter at this moment of time is no easy task as the Nerazzurri are on an imperious run of form but he also knows that the Azzurri have loads of quality in their team.

Catch Us If You Can

Inter could have gone 11 points clear at the top of the table in Serie A in midweek had they won their rearranged game against Parma. Jose Mourinho’s side failed to beat them and the match finished in a 1-1 draw.

Yet Inter could still stretch their lead at the top of the table despite the draw and now have 53 points, nine more than Roma, who are second. The Nerazzurri are on a run of marvelous results and have won games even without Wesley Sneijder.

Winning in Naples isn’t going to be easy for Inter but they do have a side that can overcome the most difficult of circumstances.

FORM GUIDE

Napoli

February 7 v Udinese (A) – LOST 3-1 (Serie A)

January 30 v Genoa (H) - DREW 0-0 (Serie A)

January 24 v Livorno (A) - WON 2-0 (Serie A)

January 17 v Palermo (H) - DREW 0-0 (Serie A)

January 13 v Juventus (A) - LOST 3-0 (Coppa Italia)

Inter

February 10 v Parma (A) – DREW 1-1 (Serie A)

February 7 v Cagliari (H) - WON 3-0 (Serie A)

February 3 v Fiorentina (H) - WON 1-0 (Coppa Italia)

January 28 v Juventus (H) - WON 2-1 (Coppa Italia)

January 24 v Milan (H) - WON 2-0 (Serie A)

TEAM NEWS

Napoli

Grava, Gargano and Cannavaro are struggling with injuries while Maggio is suspended.

Probable Lineup (3-4-1-2): De Sanctis, Campagnaro, Cannavaro, Grava; Zuniga, Gargano, Pazienza, Dossena; Hamsik; Quagliarella, Denis

Inter

Chivu, Stankovic and Materazzi are unavailable but the rest of the squad is fit and ready for the trip to Naples.

Probable Lineup (4-3-1-2): Julio Cesar, Maicon, Lucio, Samuel, Santon; Zanetti, Cambiasso, Muntari; Sneijder; Milito, Pandev

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Marek Hamsik (Napoli)

Hamsik has seen his form take a dip towards the south, which is why his Castrol Ranking has slipped from 218 to 241. However, the Slovakian international still remains one of the best players of Napoli. The 22-year-old has scored eight goals and provided three assists in the league and he would have to be taken of by Inter on Valentine’s Day.

Goran Pandev (Inter)

The Macedonian international was sensational against Cagliari last weekend and scored a goal. Pandev now has three goals in six league matches and has also provided a couple of assists. With Wesley Sneijder back, Pandev will be asked to play closer to goal than he has in his last two games and this will increase his chances of adding to his goals tally.

PREDICTION

Napoli would provide Inter a good and long run for the money but defeating the Nerazzurri would be difficult. Jose Mourinho’s side know that winning in Naples is not easy but they do have the players to come back to Milan with an away win. However, a scoring draw is the most likely outcome.

Napoli 2-2 Inter