Maurizio Sarri has had a difficult time over the last couple of weeks with Napoli stuttering in the title race. The Italian will however be keen for his team to return to their winning ways when they face Chievo Verona this weekend.
The Partenopei have not been very impressive since their loss to Juventus, and have gone on a miserable run of five consecutive games without a win in all competitions in this period. The Neapolitans need to return to their best form as soon as possible if they are to sustain their title challenge against the country’s dominant force in recent years.
Chievo, on the other hand, have been their usual inconsistent selves, but have taken a respectable seven points from their last five matches. However, they will certainly be looking to earn three points against Napoli, with Sarri’s men being in poor form in the last couple of weeks. While a win against Napoli would help them close the gap with the likes of Sassuolo and Lazio, they are still a considerable distance away from challenging for a European spot.
Napoli
Possible Starting XI (4-3-3): Reina; Ghoulam, Koulibaly, Chiriches, Hysaj; Hamsik, Georginho, Allan; Callejon, Higuain, Insigne.
Chievo Verona
Possible Starting XI (4-3-1-2): Bizzarri; Cacciatore, Cesar, Danielli, Frey; Rigoni, Radovanovic, Castro; Birsa; M’Poku, Pellissier.
Key Facts
- Napoli are unbeaten in 24 of their last 26 Serie A matches.
- However, they are also currently on a five match winless streak in all competitions.
- In these five matches though, they have conceded just one goal per game.
- Napoli have conceded less than 2.5 goals on average in eight of their last 10 matches against Chievo.
Prediction
Napoli 2-1 Chievo
Napoli have slipped up in the title race ever since Simone Zaza’s second half heroics gave Juventus a crucial win against Maurizio Sarri’s side. However, the home game against Chievo gives them the ideal opportunity to pull themselves back together again and continue their title assault. A home win is on the cards in this fixture.
Odds (Paddy Power)
Napoli: 2/11
Draw: 6/1
Chievo Verona: 14/1
