Reggina vs Napoli

Reggina face-off at home to Napoli at the Oreste Granillo with the pressure to win squarely on their shoulders as they need every remaining point at home to insure that they can escape relegation. Napoli are coming off of a big win at home and will be looking to find some consistency away from home.

Reggina were able to hold out for a 1-1 draw away to Livorno in their last match at the Stadio Armando Picchi. With the draw the side managed by Orlandi are now in 18^th place of the league table with 26 points. They sit 2 points back of 17^th place Livorno and just ahead of 19^th place Empoli. Given their win a week ago, Reggina have now gone two matches without a loss and when you are in a situation as dire as Reggina’s that is very positive news on which to build on. The have posted 1 win, 2 draws and 2 losses over their last 5 games. This week manager Orlandi will be missing Vigiani, Alvarez, Montiel and Ceravolo to injury while Missiroli is out suspended. The good news is that Cirillo returns to the back line and will partner with the Uruguayan Carlos Valdez at the center back positions. Amoruso will be the lone striker in attack with Brienza and Cozza playing just behind him.

Napoli came up big at home to Fiorentina when they held serve by a score of 2-0. It was only their 2^nd win to go with 3 losses over their last 5 matches and they now find themselves in 10^th place of the league table with 36 points. This leaves them 1 point back of 9^th place Lazio and just ahead of Palermo on goal difference. Manager Reja has a number of absences to deal with this week as Zalayeta, Cupi and Iezzo are out injured while Savini, Domizzi and Mannini are all out suspended. In the case of Mannini it is the first match of a 2 match suspension. In attack, Calaio will once again start for Zalayeta with Roberto Sosa on the bench. He will accompany Lavezzi while the 3 man back line will be composed of Contini, Cannavaro and Santacroce.

Reggina can win this one. While Napoli have been better overall this season, they have inspired no confidence on the road and their pitiful road record stands at 2 wins, 3 draws and 9 losses. Reggina are playing for their lives at this point and that is always a dangerous foe to go up against. Reggina can go a long way towards avoiding the drop at season’s end if they can take the 3 points this week.

Prediction: Reggina (2-1)