Torino will look to finally get their Serie A season up and running on Sunday night when the Granata travel to the Stadio San Paolo to take on Napoli.
Rafael Benitez’s side have dominated the last three fixtures between the two clubs, outscoring Torino eight to three in that time. Interestingly, prior to Napoli’s current three match winning streak, Torino were able to string together three straight wins of their own. However, those wins came way back in the 2008 and 2009 seasons. Both teams are in a much different place now than five years ago, with one eye on the Europa League and one on Serie A.
Both teams will be coming off a Thursday night Europa League match, which could negatively affect both clubs. Benitez has taken the Europa League group stage quite seriously since Napoli were eliminated from the Champions League qualifying round. Benitez took off two of his key players, Marek Hamsik and Gonzalo Higuain, early in Napoli’s last match. His player selection in recent weeks gives little indication of whom Benitez may choose in his side.
Benitez continues to be under fire as Napoli have failed to click despite their 1-0 win against Sassuolo last weekend. The Partenopei started strongly against the Neroverdi, but nearly threw away their slender lead in the closing minutes of the game. The Spaniard may be influenced to start Jose Callejon against the Granata as the attacker has been key to Napoli’s play, tallying three goals in five matches, including last weekend’s winner.
Torino are still trying to adapt to life post-Alessio Cerci and Ciro Immobile. The Granata have scored a mere three goals this term and failed to register a goal in their opening three games of the Serie A season. Torino coach Giampiero Ventura will hope his striking pair Fabio Quagliarella and Amauri will click and carry the Toro in both Europe and on the peninsula. Meanwhile, Torino are still missing Antonio Nocerino, Migjen Basha and Alexander Farnerud.
On the other hand, Napoli are practically injury-free in terms of key personnel coming into the weekend, but Benitez may decide to rest some of his most important players. By the time Napoli kickoff against the Granata, Benitez’s side will have already played nine matches this season. Fatigue could play a part as both clubs attempt to get their seasons on track.
Expected Starting XIs
Napoli – Rafael; Zuniga, Koulibaly, Albiol, Ghoulam, Gargano, Lopez, Callejon, Hamsik, Insigne, Higuain.
Torino – Gillet; Bovo, Glik, Moretti, Peres, Gazzi, Vives, El Kaddouri, Darmian, Quagliarella, Amauri
