Napoli vs Atalanta

Napoli and Atalanta will face-off in a battle of clubs separated by just one point in the Serie A league table in week 33. Both sides are coming off of ugly losses a week ago.

Napoli come into this contest in 10^th place of the league table with 40 points on the present campaign. They currently sit 1 point back of 9^th place Atalanta making this match their best opportunity left this season to leap-frog over them in the standings. The partenopei also hold a 1 point edge on 11^th place SS Lazio. Last week they suffered a very bad loss on the road at the hands of Catania by a score of 3-0. They have now posted 2 wins, 2 losses and 1 draw over their last 5 contests. There is only one name on the injured list this week and it is Uruguayan striker Marcelo Zalayeta. Santacroce is out suspended at this time and his place will go to Contini as manager Reda keeps his 3-5-2 formation. In attack Argentine striker Lavezzi will be joined by Calaio as fellow Argentine Roberto Sosa is not ready for 90 minutes and will start on the bench.

Atalanta were losers at home last week to league leaders Inter Milan by a score of 0-2 at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri D’Italia. The result continued a dry spell for the bergamaschi which has seen them score just 2 goals over their past 4 games. They are now in 9^th place of the league table with 41 points and sit 1 point back of 8^th place Genoa. They have obtained 2 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses from their last 5 games. Manager Del Neri will have to deal with some important absences this week as the club’s most important player Doni is out suspended for the next 2 games while the Argentine Rivalta is out injured. Rivalta is joined by Costinha, Muslimovic, Talamonti and Langella. On the bright side, Carrozzieri returns to the first eleven.

Napoli appear to have the edge this week. Not only will they be at home, but Atalanta will be missing the heart and soul of their club in Doni- not to mention Rivalta. Couple these absences with Atalanta’s alarming inability to score goals of late and the stage is set for the side from the Stadio San Paolo to move into 9^th place.

Prediction: Napoli (1-0)