ChievoVerona vs SSC Napoli
Kick Off: 14:00 Hrs
Sun 19th Feb 2017
Venue: Stadio M. A. Bentegodi


ChievoVerona vs SSC Napoli Preview and Prediction

Napoli must re-focus after their midweek Champions League loss, as they travel to a stubborn Chievo side on Sunday afternoon.

The Partenopei ended up losing their meeting with Real Madrid 3-1. But given that they are only in the Round of 16 for the second time, whilst Los Blancos have won the Champions League/European Cup more than any other side in history, the result was far from surprising. Furthermore, Maurizio Sarri’s side do have a vital away goal in hand, thus giving them a slight glimmer of hope ahead of the second leg next month.

Still, President Aurelio De Laurentiis’ post-match comments surely will not help the squad’s morale. In any case, it is back to business as they aim to keep their plans to qualify for next season’s Champions League intact. Napoli are currently in third spot, and on a 13-match unbeaten streak in league fixtures. They have scored a whopping 57 goals, which is more than any other side in the league, but their back-line has not been nearly as successful.

Napoli have shipped at least one goal in seven out of their last eight matches across all competitions, which is something that Chievo will try to exploit. The Flying Donkeys, who are unbeaten in their past three games, are no strangers to scalps. Rolando Maran’s side managed to defeat Lazio – at the Stadio Olimpico – despite not enjoying anywhere near the lion’s share of possession. Roberto Inglese was the man on target, and again was the go-to man for the Flying Donkeys during their recent 3-1 rout of 10-man Sassuolo.

Chievo have picked up 32 points so far after 24 rounds, which is their best return at this juncture since the 2005-2006 season. Each term, the primary objective for the Flying Donkeys is to achieve safety.

Usually, the so-called magic number to avoid the drop is 40, meaning that Maran’s side are pretty much nearly there. Will that give them the added incentive to try to spring an upset this Sunday? They have not won at their own home ground against their upcoming opponents since March 2013, when goals from Boukary Dramé (now with Atalanta) and Cyril Thereau (now with Udinese) were enough to get the job done.


Keep an eye on: Dries Mertens (Napoli) – The diminutive Belgian has truly been an inspiration this season and has been scoring goals at an impressive rate. He is the only player to have three hat-tricks this season, and despite failing to grab a goal in Madrid, he still represents one of Napoli’s major attacking threats Chievo will have to keep their eye on during this clash.

Form Guide: Chievo (W D W L L) Napoli (W W D W W)

Last season: Chievo 0-1 Napoli


Stat fact: These sides have never shared the spoils at the Bentegodi, playing out four Chievo wins and six Napoli successes.

Top tip: Napoli conceded a goal in five of their six league matches following a midweek Champions League game.

Chievo (probable): Sorrentino; Cacciatore, Dainelli, Cesar, Gobbi; Izco, Radovanovic, Hetemaj; Castro; Birsa, Inglese

Suspended: None

Napoli (probable): Reina; Hysaj, Albiol, Koulibaly, Ghoulam; Zielinski, Diawara, Hamsik; Callejon, Mertens, Insigne

Suspended: None