Napoli vs Hellas Verona preview - Toni looking for Verona victory

Posted Saturday, May 17, 2014 by PA

Hellas Verona will be looking to celebrate a successful campaign with a win at Napoli on Sunday.

The Verona outfit, who gained promotion to Italy's top flight last summer, were widely backed to struggle this term.

However, coach Andrea Mandorlini has worked wonders with Hellas winning 16 games this season.

Last weekend's 2-2 draw against Udinese lifted Hellas to ninth in the standings.

Veteran striker Luca Toni, who has proved crucial in helping Hellas defend their Serie A status, can finish as joint top scorer in Serie A with two goals at Napoli, while a hat-trick would see him pass Torino's Ciro Immobile, who has 22 goals and is suspended this weekend.

"I will try to win the capocannoniere (top scorer) award," the 36-year-old Toni said. "I could not have predicted such a great season."

Napoli will not have any fans at their San Paolo stadium because the club is being punished for the unruly behaviour of their supporters at the Coppa Italia final.

"It certainly doesn't help to play the game behind closed doors," Toni said. "It's a defeat for everyone."

Napoli, who beat Fiorentina to lift the Coppa, are assured of finishing third in the league.

Napoli won 5-2 at Sampdoria last time out to set up a new club record of 10 wins away from home in a given season.

The azzurri are one goal shy of reaching the 100-goal mark in all competitions.

"I am very satisfied to have done so well away from home," Napoli coach Rafa Benitez said. "Now our aim is to reach the 100-goal mark for the campaign.

"This season has been a positive one and we can only be satisfied with what we have done, knowing that we have room for improvement."

The hosts will be bolstered by the return of defender Miguel Angel Britos and midfielder Blerim Dzemaili, both back from suspension.