For the first time since the heyday of Diego Maradona Napoli are actually in a position to challenge for the Serie A title. To continue the challenge though they must first overcome one of the most unpredictable sides in Europe. Under the enigmatic presidency of Maurizio Zamparini the Rosanero have played some scintillating football but they have also produced abject performances that have left them chasing the pack for European qualification this term. We must not forget that Zamparini has also sacked head coach Delio Rossi replacing him with Sersi Cosmi before reversing the decision a matter of weeks later. Whatever you may think of Italian football life in the South is rarely dull.


So tactically this is how I see the two sides lining up. Napoli especially have been consistent tactically this season and have enjoyed success with a three man back line. Palermo however have the firepower to cause this system serious problems. The Uruguayan Abel Hernandez is beginning to fulfil some of his early promise and his direct running and pace prohibit teams from playing a high defensive line. This should force Napoli deeper creating space for the Rosonero’s creator in chief Javier Pastore to weave his magic. If Napoli choose not to sit a midfielder on the Argentinean to nullify his threat then the Napoli back line could be in for an extremely long 90 minutes.
Whilst it’s true that the connection between Pastore, Miccoli and Hernandez is key to the Palermo game plan Napoli have an even more effective front line. A large part of the success enjoyed by the Azzuri this season can be attributed to their shrewd capture in the summer of Edison Cavani – ironically from Palermo. The Uruguayan has shown a propensity for scoring goals of all types and in relatively huge quantities. He is also rarely fails to perform on the bigger stages and undoubtedly has a point to prove against his former employers – he is without a shadow of a doubt a player to watch in this match. Although Cavani will be missing his chief creative partner in the shape of Ezequiel Lavezzi he will be replaced by the massively underrated Giuseppe Mascara and further supported by the Slovakian Marek Hamsik. Hamsik is a hugely enigmatic figure that is being constantly linked to the biggest clubs in Europe and although he plays in the same position as Pastore they are both vastly different players. Hamsik is more prone to threaten the Palermo box with his late runs into the box and his power in the air and could well be the difference between the teams given that the Palermo defence will be concentrating so heavily on the threat of Cavani.

Whatever happens on Saturday night we should be in for a great match that will make a mockery of the popular notion that Italian football is dull. Matches between the giants of Southern Italy are rarely dull affairs if only for the passion of the fans. I do however have a feeling that we could see the title challenge of Napoli take a near fatal blow in this match.


Shrewnaldo’s Prediction: Palermo 1 – 3 Napoli
IJ’s Prediction: Palermo 1 – 2 Napoli
Forza’s Prediction: Palermo 2 – 0 Napoli

Currently, Forza is leading the prediction game with 4 points; closely followed by Football Manager and IJ on 3 points with Shrewnaldo giving them a healthy handicap, trailing with just 1 point.