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Serie A Preview: Catania - Napoli

It's a match between a club second from bottom and a side just two points off a Champions League position...

Nov 6, 2009 8:10:00 AM

Serie A, Juventus-Napoli: Datolo - Lavezzi (Getty Images)

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Serie A, Juventus-Napoli: Datolo - Lavezzi (Getty Images)

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Kick-off: Saturday, November 7, 18:00 CET
Stadio Angelo Massimino

Struggling As Expected

Catania were expected to struggle for survival right from the start of the season and they haven't failed anyone in that. The Etnei might have done admirably well against the likes of Roma, Lazio and Bari but they are second from bottom in the Serie A table with just seven points from 11 games.

Coach Gianluca Atzori has been shoved into the limelight, as there are reports of the Sicilian club planning to give him the sack with Sinisa Mihajlovic supposedly lined up to replace him, if results don't improve very soon.

And results are not very likely to improve this weekend when they host Napoli. The Neapolitans have recovered their form and discipline ever since Walter Mazzarri replaced Roberto Donadoni in early October and even a point at home against the Azzurri would be a bonus.

Climbing Up The Table

Napoli were a disaster under Roberto Donadoni in the first few weeks of the season but since Mazzarri's arrival the former Italian champions have been steadily rising up the table. They have had their moments of doubts too, like when they were 2-0 down to Milan early on in the game, but in that game they came back to draw 2-2. Changes in formation and a few motivational talks have done the trick so far.

Typical of their tenacity was their performance against Juventus last weekend when they came from 2-0 down to score three goals in the space of just 23 minutes to win 3-2. That result saw them shoot up to sixth in the table, just two points off fourth place Milan. Slovakian international midfielder Marek Hamsik scored twice in that game and he looks to have rediscovered his form of 2007-2008 when he was one of the best young midfielders in the whole of Europe.

Winning in Sicily against relegation candidates Catania should not be a problem but Atzori's side aren't exactly easy pushovers. But given the form that Napoli have been in for the last few weeks and their absence from European competitions this season, Hamsik and company should register an away victory on Saturday evening.

FORM GUIDE

Catania

November 1 v Fiorentina (A) LOST 1-3 (Serie A)

October 28 v Chievo (H) – LOST 1-2 (Serie A)

October 24 v Inter (A) LOST 2-1 (Serie A)

October 18 v Cagliari (H) WON 2-1 (Serie A)

October 3 v Bari (A) DREW 0-0 (Serie A)

Napoli

October 31 v Juventus (A) - WON 3-2 (Serie A)

October 28 v Milan (H) - DREW 2-2 (Serie A)

October 25 v Fiorentina (A) - WON 1-0 (Serie A)

October 18 v Bologna (H) - WON 2-1 (Serie A)

October 4 v Roma (A) - LOST 2-1 (Serie A)

TEAM NEWS

Catania

Pablo Barrientos, Fabio Sciacca, Gennaro Delvecchio, Andrea Campagnolo and Nicola Spolli all are unavailable for the game but Japanese sensation Takayuki Morimoto returns from suspension. There are injury doubts over Mariano Andujar and Ezequiel Carboni.

Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Andujar, Potenza, Terlizzi, Bellusci; Alvarez, Biagianti, Carboni, Llama, Pesce; Mascara, Morimoto

Napoli

Neither Fabiano Santacroce nor Juan Zuniga will be able to feature on Saturday and there are doubts over Salvatore Aronica, Leandro Rinaudo and Hugo Campagnaro. Fortunately for Napoli, both Marek Hamsik and Christian Maggio have been passed fit to play: the former was struggling with a stomach problem, while the latter was troubled by the flu. German Denis is likely to be the lone striker upfront with Hamsik and Ezequiel Lavezzi playing behind him.

Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): De Sanctis, Grava, Cannavaro, Contini; Maggio, Gargano, Cigarini, Aronica; Hamsik, Lavezzi; Denis

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Takayuki Morimoto (Catania)

The Japanese striker is back in the side after sitting out the 3-1 defeat to Fiorentina because of suspension. Morimoto has looked sensational in some games in Serie A and his return upfront will be massive for a Catania side that has often struggled for goals.

Marek Hamsik (Napoli)

The 22-year-old has been one of the best and most consistent players in Serie A so far this season, probably second best to Sampdoria's Antonio Cassano in the creative department. With seven goals and one assist in the league, Hamsik is exhibiting his true colours and his two goals against Juventus last weekend showed just how important he is for Napoli.

PREDICTION

Napoli should win the game but their vulnerability at the back could see Catania score a goal.

Catania 0-2 Napoli

Subhankar Mondal, Goal.com

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