Napoli vs Fiorentina

Napoli play host to Fiorentina at the Stadio San Paolo in a midweek fixture during week 29 of Serie A. The partenopei have hit some hard times since becoming the first side this season to defeat Inter Milan and are now in the bottom half of the league table. Fiorentina are still very much in the running for a Champions League and will be looking to keep pace with the squad directly above them, Juventus.

Reja’s side is in 12^th place of the lead table with 33 points for the year. They sit 1 point back of 11^th place SS Lazio and sit 2 points up on 13^th place Torino. They lost a heart breaker in week 28 away to Juventus at the Stadio Olimpico di Torino by a score of 1-0. It was a difficult loss to digest because it appeared that Napoli had at least done enough to secure a point. The loss was Napoli’s 3^rd in their last 4 matches and during that stretch they have scored just 1 goal while conceding 5. The last player to score for Napoli, Marcelo Zalayeta, is out for the season following surgery to repair a ligament in his knee. The positive news for Napoli this week is that Zalayeta will be the only injury concern. Calaio will once again take his spot and play alongside Lavezzi in attack.

Fiorentina were winners at home over the weekend by a 3-1 score over Genoa at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. That win, coupled with AC Milan’s loss extended Fiorentina’s advantage over 5^th place Milan to 4 points as they now have 50 on the season which are good enough for 4^th place. The viola currently sit 4 points back of 3^rd place Juventus. The side managed by Cesare Prandelli have now won 3 of their last 4 matches. This week there are 3 confirmed absences as Jorgensen and Gamberini are injured while Gobbi is suspended. Adrian Mutu is a confirmed starter along with Christian Vieri and Semioli in attack, while Dainelli gets the start at the back in place of the aforementioned Jorgensen.

This match is a real gut check for Napoli. They really have not played with any consistency since the new year began and any hope of a European Cup appearance has almost completely disappeared. A win at home this week is vital but it won’t be easy as Fiorentina have managed 6 wins and 5 draws from 14 road matches this season. Only Juventus, Roma and Inter Milan have fared better than Fiorentina on the road this year. Look for the viola to pull this one out.

Prediction: Fiorentina (0-1)