Scudetto deciding scuffles as Juve host Napoli, Viola face Inter in Serie A
Published:
Holly Thackeray | February 12, 2016
Crunch time in Serie A
Excitement is building in Italy this weekend, with two teams set to blink in the Scudetto race. First up, Napoli make the long trek to Turin for a tussle with Juventus, before Inter Milan make their way to Tuscany for a clash with Fiorentina.
It’s a case of first versus second as Juve welcome the Little Donkeys hoping to leapfrog to the Serie A summit, while Viola and Inter are third and fourth respectively. Though the latter two have fallen off the pace, the very least they will be fighting for is a Champions League spot, so Coral preview these all-action, edge-of-the-seat Italian fixtures…
Juventus v Napoli
- Serie A
- Kick-off: 19:45 GMT
- Saturday, February 13th
- Juventus Stadium, Turin
- Live on BT Sport Europe
Can Napoli halt the Old Lady in her tracks?
Juventus are stealing headlines with their club record 14-game winning streak in Serie A, and Massimiliano Allegri’s men are certainly in title-retaining form, but face a potential bump in the road against trophy rivals Napoli.
The Old Lady’s wobbly start to the season is but a distant memory, with the Turin team having stormed back into Scudetto contention, and they are duly 11/10 favourites with Coral to win this clash.
Yet, Maurizio Sarri’s Napoli (11/4) outfit have also been rather magnificent themselves this season and show no signs so far of buckling under pressure.
Aided by their excellent away record (winning six of their previous seven in all competitions), the Little Donkeys should travel north with confidence, especially after already shocking Juve at the Stadio San Paolo.
The Campania club are 11/1 to repeat that 2-1 scoreline on the road but, despite their strengths, both sides have frailties ripe to be exploited.
Argentina attackers once again key
Defence could prove either side’s undoing, as the Little Donkeys have kept just two clean sheets in their last eight league outings, instead relying on their ability to score more, which they may not be able to do here.
While, the Old Lady have been staunch at the back but will be without stalwart Giorgio Chiellini and astute midfield shield Sami Khedira for this encounter.
This means the focus will undoubtedly be on the two opposing teams’ leading men and Argentina international pair Gonzalo Higuain and Paulo Dybala.
Higuain heroics to turn game?
Hitman Higuain has been living up to his lethal reputation under Sarri and has struck eight in seven from recent fixtures. The former Real Madrid predator is a superb 6/1 to poach the opener, or an equally generous 5/4 to notch anytime.
However, Napoli are far from a one-man team as Higuain forms part of a terrific trio alongside exciting talent Lorenzo Insigne (2/1) and industrious Jose Callejon (11/4).
Dybala danger for Napoli
While, Dybala has blossomed even more since his summer switch from Palermo to Juventus, and the prodigy is 9/2 for the final say for the second successive game in a row.
The young-gun is also likely to be partnered by back in-form Alvaro Morata (6/4 in the anytime market), while midfield dynamo Paul Pogba will also be looking to put his stamp on the game. With so much attacking talent on display, both teams to score in both halves is surely worth a dabble at 18/1.
Fiorentina v Inter Milan
- Serie A
- Kick-off: 19:45 GMT
- Sunday, February 14th
- Stadio Artemio Franchi, Florence
- Live on BT Sport Europe
Chance for Inter Renaissance
Inter Milan have arguably never been the same since their 4-1 San Siro thrashing at the hands of Viola earlier this season, which saw their undefeated run and defensive record both blown apart.
Roberto Mancini’s second Nerazzurri vintage have since seen the Scudetto slip out of their grasp, but are 12/5 to turn their term around again by triumphing in Tuscany.
Though, it appears former Manchester City manager Mancini has thrown the title towel in, as the Italian told press: “For third place we are optimistic, if we win against Fiorentina and climb over them. The Scudetto? That it is now a closed story.”
As for Viola, they are undefeated in five and 11/5 to at least pick up a point, or 6/5 favourites to make it a double over Inter this season.
Canny Croatians mastermind magic
Croatia striker Nikola Kalinic (5/1 to hit the first) has been Fiorentina’s most formidable forward in tandem with Slovenia sharpshooter Josip Ilicic (6/4 for a goal anytime), though the pair have something to prove after recent dips in form. While, Viola can also field ex-West Ham United attacker Mauro Zarate or Barcelona loan star Cristian Tello.
As for the Nerazzurri, Mancini will be hoping his own Croatian schemer Ivan Perisic (8/1 for the final strike) can spark something up top after his late leveller last time out, while main marksman Mauro Icardi (a 6/4 anytime shot) is back in the scoring groove.
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