Bologna visit Napoli in Serie A on Tuesday evening at the Stadio San Paolo as the hosts desperately need a win to keep their title hopes alive.
The Partenopei’s excellent run of form which saw them sit at the top of the table for much of the season has come to a dramatic end, as the hosts have recently dropped points to both Udinese and Inter. Maurizio Sarri’s squad remain in second place, but are now nine points off league leaders Juventus.
Bologna, on the other hand, have not won a match since February and are just seven points clear of the regulation zone. Having earned just one point out of their last five matches, the Rossoblu look like the perfect opposition for Sarri’s side to pick up three points. The visitors sit 13th in the table with just 37 points.
The last time these two sides met, Roberto Donadoni’s men earned a surprising 3-2 victory thanks to a brace from the team’s top scorer Mattia Destro, and a goal from Luca Rossettini. A late brace from Napoli star Gonzalo Higuain saw Napoli close the gap, but was ultimately too little, too late for the visitors.
This time Napoli will not be able to count on the Argentine as they are forced to play without their star striker as he serves the final match of his three match suspension after receiving a red card against Udinese.
The Rossoblu’s bench will be severely tested, as Archimede Morteo, Anthony Mounier, Franco Zuculini and Godfred Donsah are all injured and therefore unavailable. Roberto Donadoni will also be without their main striker Mattia Destro as he continues his recovery from injury as well.
Form Guide:
Napoli (L-W-L-W-W) Bologna (L-D-L-L-L)
Expected Starting XIs:
Napoli: 4-3-3 Reina, Hysaj, Albiol, Koulibaly, Ghoulam, Allan, Jorginho, Hamsik, Callejon, Gabbiadini, Insigne
Bologna: 4-3-3 Mirante, Mbaye, Rossettini, Oikonomou, Masina, Taider, Diawara, Brienza, Rizzo, Floccari, Giaccherini
Infographic Source: www.sporticos.com
