Juventus vs SSC Napoli Preview match: Italy Seri A Matchday 30 2011/12

Old Lady aim to continue title challenge as Mazzarri's men look to step up Champions League chase

April 1, 2012 7:45 PM BST
Juventus Arena — Torino

Team News

Juventus

 

Conte may switch to a 3-5-2, with Lichtsteiner and Pepe on the flanks. Quagliarella and Del Piero are working hard to make the starting XI, but it should be Vucinic once again partnering Matri. Giaccherini is the only unavailable player for the coach, as he has the flu.

probable lineups : Buffon, Chiellini, Barzagli, Caceres, Pepe, Marchisio, Pirlo, Vidal, Lichtsteiner, Matri, Vucinic. (3-5-2).

 

Mar 25, 2012	Juventus 2 - FC Internazionale 0	ITA1
Mar 20, 2012	Juventus 2 - AC Milan 2	ITAC
Mar 17, 2012	Fiorentina 0 - Juventus 5	ITA1
Mar 11, 2012	Genoa 0 - Juventus 0	ITA1
Mar 7, 2012	Bologna 1 - Juventus 1	ITA1

 

Napoli

 

Maggio should be back available, so Dossena may be given a little rest with Zuniga playing on the left flank. Hamsik and Lavezzi will support Cavani once again, while Pandev is set to start on the bench. Mazzarri is going to stick with his typical defence: Campagnaro, Cannavaro and Aronica.

probable lineups : Sancis, Campagnaro, Cannavaro, Aronica, Maggio, Gargano, Inler, Zuniga, Hamsik, Lavezzi, Cavani. (3-4-2-1). 

 

Mar 25, 2012	SSC Napoli 2 - Catania 2	ITA1
Mar 21, 2012	SSC Napoli 2 - Siena 0	ITAC
Mar 18, 2012	Udinese 2 - SSC Napoli 2	ITA1
Mar 14, 2012	Chelsea FC 4 - SSC Napoli 1	UCL
Mar 9, 2012	SSC Napoli 6 - Cagliari 3	ITA1

 

Head to Head

Match Facts

Juventus are undefeated in their last 30 matches in Serie A.

Juventus have seen over 2.5 goals in their last 6 matches against Napoli in all competitions.

Napoli have scored at least 3 goals in 4 of their last 6 matches against Juventus in all competitions.

Napoli are undefeated in their last 9 matches in Serie A.

Juventus have kept a clean sheet in their last 3 matches in Serie A.

 

Italy - Serie A ‎(ITA1)‎	Nov 29, 2011	SSC Napoli 3 - Juventus 3
Italy - Serie A ‎(ITA1)‎	May 22, 2011	Juventus 2 - SSC Napoli 2
Italy - Serie A ‎(ITA1)‎	Jan 9, 2011	SSC Napoli 3 - Juventus 0
Italy - Serie A ‎(ITA1)‎	Mar 25, 2010	SSC Napoli 3 - Juventus 1
Italy - Coppa Italia ‎(ITAC)‎	Jan 13, 2010	Juventus 3 - SSC Napoli 0

 

Prediction

Still unbeaten in official matches this year, Juventus seem to be back on track after 4 consecutive draws between February and March. They showed that they can keep up with Milan's pace, and gained some morale from beating them in the Coppa Italia semi-finals.

 

Freed from the Champions League schedule and already in the Coppa Italia final as well, Napoli have started the final rush for the Champions League places with Udinese and Lazio. Last time around they gave away some points due top a late equaliser from Catania, so they must be willing to seize all three here.

 

Expect a very intense, energy-draining match. Both teams will try to set a high tempo, as they both don't like to play at a slow pace. Juventus may take advantage of playing at home, but Napoli will rely on their fans, even in Turin, as they always do in away matches. Key players could be the difference here over teamwork, and the match may stay in the balance until the very last minutes. Both teams may also be influenced by their rivals' results from the day before, or the afternoon.

Juventus  2 - 1  Napoli